TN BJP, ex-servicemen protest murder of soldier and demand stringent action against accused

The victim and the accused were relatives. (Twitter)

A large number of BJP members and ex-servicemen staged a protest in Krishnagiri and other parts of Tamil Nadu on Thursday, 16 February.

This came after BJP state president K Annamalai called for a protest via Twitter on Wednesday.

As a mark of respect to the Army man Thiru Prabhu who was beaten to death by a DMK councillor, members of @BJP4TamilNadu Ex-Servicemen wing wearing their Badge & Cap will protest against the DMK govt for this cruel disrespect to our Indian Army. #DMK_Kills_Soldier (1/3)

— K.Annamalai (மோடியின் குடும்பம்) (@annamalai_k) February 15, 2023

They were demanding stringent action against the assailants of M Prabhu, a paramilitary soldier, who succumbed to injuries after he was severely thrashed by a DMK councillor and his accomplices.

The incident occurred on 8 February in Pochampalli village in Krishnagiri district. Prabhu died six days later.

Never to leave again

Prabhu, who was posted in Srinagar with the military police, was on leave and in his hometown of Vellampatti village, Pochampalli.

He was expected to report for duty on 10 February, according to Rama Nandagopal, president of the Krishnagiri district BJP ex-serviceman wing.

Nandagopal said during his interaction with some of the affected family members, he came to know that Prabhu and his brother Prabharakan rushed to their father Madhaiyan’s rescue when he was first attacked by a group of men.

“In a trice, both the brothers found themselves surrounded by about 10 armed men who dealt them severe blows. The brothers, who were unarmed, attempted to resist the attack but in vain. Prabhu swooned. The women in the family had to admit them to hospital,” he told PTI.

Related: DMK councillor, 8 others arrested for killing a soldier in Krishnagiri

Ex-servicemen demand justice

Retired Junior Warrant Officer (JWO), Indian Air Force, Isaivanan M said, “Such an atrocious incident has never occurred anywhere in the country. A soldier is well respected everywhere, but here, this murder has brought shame to Tamil Nadu.”

“The attackers should be given maximum punishment to serve as a deterrent to others,” added Isaivanan, who is state secretary of the BJP Ex-Servicemen Wing.

An FIR registered by the Nagarasampatti police in Krishnagiri district named nine people, including Chinnasamy and his three sons, as accused.

Veteran Lt Col N Thiagarajan, who is senior vice-president of TN Akhil Bharatiya Poorva Sainik Parishad, said the DMK councillor and his aides beating a soldier to death is unfortunate and highly condemnable. “This is very disturbing. Stringent action should be taken on the attackers,” he charged.

Chinnaswamy, a DMK councilor in Pochampally area, beat up an army soldier Prabhu to death, @CMOTamilnadu must initiate appropriate action. As a Akhil Bharatiya Poorva Sainik Seva Parishad senior vice president, I strongly condemn this act.

— Lt Col N Thiagarajan Veteran (@NTR_NationFirst) February 15, 2023

In a memorandum submitted to the Director General of Police, Lt NK Raman, state president of the BJP Ex-Servicemen Wing, sought a direction to the Krishnagiri Superintendent of Police to detain Chinnasamy and others involved in the crime under the Goondas Act.

“This type of atrocities defaming our defence personnel is a challenge to national integrity and national security,” said Raman. He sought protection to Lance Naik Prabhu’s family.

Arrested and remanded

Speaking to reporters in Krishnagiri, Superintendent of Police Saroj Kumar Thakur said that all nine people involved in the crime have been arrested and remanded.

“There is no political angle to this case. The police will provide all assistance to the victims’ family and is committed to ensuring justice for Prabhu and his family,” he said.

BJP state vice-president Narayanan Thirupathy, while addressing the media, said that this latest murder incident indicated that crimes were on the rise in the state. He demanded justice for the soldier’s family.

ஒரு ராணுவ வீரர் தி மு க குண்டர்களால் அடித்தே சாகடிக்கப்பட்டிருக்கிறார். இது ஒரு தனிப்பட்ட சம்பவம் என்று கடந்து செல்ல முயல்கிறது @arivalayam . தி மு கவினர் இது குறித்து கருத்து சொல்லக்கூட தயங்குகின்றனர். "இதை நான் வன்மையாக கண்டிக்கிறேன், நமக்காக சேவை புரிந்த ஒருவரை கொடூரமாக (1/ )

— Narayanan Thirupathy (மோடியின் குடும்பம்) (@narayanantbjp) February 16, 2023

Background on the incident

On 8 February, Prabhakaran’s wife was washing clothes in the common water tank located outside the panchayat office.

Ward councillor of Nagojanahalli town panchayat, Chinnasamy admonished the woman for washing clothes in the common water tank that was erected to store drinking water.

At this time, Prabhakaran and Prabhu, who were also present there, got into an altercation with Chinnasamy. Sources said that the brothers attacked the DMK councillor.

In the evening, Chinnasamy — with his sons and a few others — returned to the area and entered into another altercation with Prabhakaran and Prabhu. The group attacked the duo with logs and stones.

Following Prabhu’s death, the police altered the FIR against the 10 persons from an attempt to murder to murder (Section 302 IPC).

Also read: Death of former DMK MP Masthan found to be murder