A gang of motorcycle-borne men hacked Nagaraj to death on Sunday night as he was about to go home from his flower shop.
Published Jul 10, 2023 | 8:12 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 10, 2023 | 8:12 PM
Nagaraj (right) with PMK chief Anbumani Ramadoss. (File pic/Supplied)
A 24-year-old murder suspect was injured when the Chengalpattu police in Tamil Nadu opened fire to restrain and detain him early on Monday, 10 July.
The injured, identified only as Ajay, was wanted in connection with the murder of Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) functionary Nagaraj. A gang of motorcycle-borne men had hacked 47-year-old Nagaraj to death near Manikoondu in Chengalpattu Town around 9.30 pm on Sunday, 9 July.
Nagaraj, the PMK secretary of Chengalpattu Town was attacked with knives and sickles while he was closing his flower shop for the day. Though the police rushed him to the Chengalpattu Government Hospital, he was declared “dead on arrival”.
Tension gripped the area after PMK workers and Nagaraj’s relatives protested in front of the hospital, demanding immediate police action.
The police formed four special teams and collected CCTV footage from the crime scene. They also intensified the screening of vehicles in the district.
Based on a tip-off, a police team went to a location near Pulipakkam village, where the suspects were reportedly hiding. On seeing the police, Ajay and his accomplice Karthik tried to flee. However, after being cornered, Ajay allegedly tried to attack the police with a sickle, forcing one of the officers to open fire at him. The bullet hit his left leg.
“As there was no option left, the sub-inspector who headed the team shot a round at Ajay’s left knee and captured him alive,” Deputy Inspector General of Police (Kancheepuram Range) P Pakalavan said.
Accused Ajay at the Chengalpattu Government Hospital. (Supplied)
While Ajay was taken to the Chengalpattu Government Hospital, the police took Karthik away for questioning.
The police said the killer gang nursed a grudge against Nagaraj after the PMK leader reported the movements of ganja peddlers in the area.
Incidentally, Monday’s encounter was the first after DGP Shankar Jiwal took charge as the state police chief.
PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss in a statement condemned the state police for its laxity in maintaining the law and order of the state.
“Over the past 50 days, three PMK functionaries have been murdered and more than 20 murders have taken place in the past six months in the Chengalpattu district alone. It is doubtful whether the state police force is active,” Ramadoss said.
He also called for a protest in Chengalpattu on Wednesday against the rampant murders in the district.
