Pak media wrongly declares J Jayalalithaa dead

Islamabad: Pakistan media has, it seems, declared the Chief Minister of India's southern Tamil Nadu state J Jayalalitha dead, even, while doctors in state capital Chennai say that she is alive but in a very critical condition.

"Two of Pakistan's largest Urdu papers this morning reported that Indian politician Jayalalitha had died (she's alive)," Senior Pakistan journalist Omar R Quraishi said in a tweet on Monday.

In another tweet he said, "Dear Express, Geo and Nawa-I-Waqt: Jayalalitha is alive."

Releasing a fresh update on the health status of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, the Apollo Hospital on Monday announced that her condition was 'very critical', adding that she has been put on Extracoporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) and other life support systems.

"The Honourable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu who suffered a cardiac arrest yesterday evening, continues to be very critical and is on ECMO and other life-support systems. The Honourable Chief Minister is being treated and closely monitored by a team of experts," the hospital said in a statement.

Yesterday night, the Chief Minister suffered a cardiac arrest after which she was rushed to the hospital.

Meanwhile, the Indian government swung into action, as the Centre's top brass got in touch with the state governor C. Vidyasagar Rao and assured complete central assistance.

Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu spoke to the Governor and state Chief Secretary P. Rama Mohana Rao enquiring about her health and will also fly down to Chennai to assess the situation.

Also, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh also spoke to the Governor in regard with the law and order situation in the state given the tense state of affairs regarding Jayalalithaa, and was assured that the situation was under control.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also assured Tamil Nadu government that the Centre is always willing to help if they require extra force in regards with maintaining law and order.

The special team of doctors from the All India Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi reached Chennai.

Security has been stepped up across the city to attend any eventuality and buses plying out of Chennai have been reduced and security in the capital has been tightened.

Tamil Nadu is in ripples after the news of Jayalalithaa's cardiac arrest broke out as there are rituals, prayers etc being performed across the state.