Thirteen people were murdered across Tamil Nadu on Deepavali, including a special sub-inspector who was allegedly beaten to death by a group of youths in Theni district. These killings prompted condemnation of the Opposition party, which dubbed it as a failure of law and order in the state under the TVK government.
School Education Minister A Rajmohan however defended the government, saying murders had taken place during Deepavali under the previous DMK government too.
Special Sub-Inspector Senthil Kumar, 56, attached to the Theni Deputy Superintendent of Police’s office, was returning home in plain clothes after duty when he saw a group of youths bursting crackers on a road in Samatharmapuram, police said. The accused were allegedly under the influence of alcohol. The incident happened on November 8, the day of the Deepavali festival.
Senthil warned them that they were obstructing traffic and began recording them on his phone. The group allegedly assaulted him and fled when he collapsed. He was taken to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Police have arrested six people in connection with the murder.
Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay announced an ex-gratia of Rs 40 lakh for the family. Senior police officers handed over Rs 5 lakh as initial assistance to his wife and paid tribute to him before his body was cremated with full state honours at Allinagaram.
In Karaikudi, Thangasamy alias Naveen, 26, who faced 24 criminal cases, was attacked by a gang in a car while celebrating Deepavali with his brother and friends on November 8. According to reports, police have arrested seven suspects.
On the same day, in a suspected revenge attack near Manamadurai, history-sheeter Vignesh was hacked to death.
Similarly, two people were killed in separate incidents in Semmenchery and Kancheepuram on November 8.
In another incident, a 25-year-old man was beaten to death near Aruppukottai following a clash on Deepavali night.
In Perambalur, R Ravi, who had gone out to celebrate with friends, was found dead near a temple early on Monday, police said.
In Tiruchirappalli district, two 17-year-olds, Rahul and Vishal, were hacked to death near the Pullambadi canal on Deepavali day.
In another incident in the district, IT employee Christopher was stabbed to death after an argument over firecrackers. Christopher, who worked for a Chennai-based firm, had returned to his native Purathakudi village near Samayapuram for the festival.
He was bursting crackers when two persons–C Donald, 20, and J Edison, 20–reportedly confronted him, claiming a cracker had fallen on them. The argument escalated, and Donald, who is an electrician, allegedly stabbed Christopher in the chest with a screwdriver.
Several other murders were also reported on November 8.
In Chennai’s Vyasarpadi, 19-year-old auto driver Dhanush was murdered following a dispute linked to a relationship between one of the accused and Dhanush’s niece, police said.
In Cuddalore, history-sheeter Prithiviraj was stabbed with a beer bottle during a clash with Arularasan. Police later tracked down Arularasan, shot him in the leg and arrested him.
A 24-year-old woman was murdered by her lover in Uthukottai, Tiruvallur district, police said.
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami criticised Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay over the murders. In a social media post referring to Senthil Kumar’s killing, the former Chief Minister said it was regrettable that the police force had been “shattered”.
AMMK founder TTV Dhinakaran accused the TVK-led government of prioritising entertainment and social events over governance.
BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan said the incidents were painful to see on a day when the state was celebrating Deepavali.
However,Rajmohan rejected the criticism, saying murders had also occurred during previous Deepavali celebrations. He said 11 people were murdered at the festival two years ago and six last year, and accused opposition leaders of creating a false impression to discredit the government.
“Some are creating a false impression as if this is the first time that such incidents are happening in the state. In the previous Deepavali, six murders took place. So the murders taking place during festivals are not new. But in a planned manner to bring disrepute to the government, TTV, Kanimozhi, Edappadi are releasing statements.”
The Opposition parties are reacting like “enemy” parties, he said.
Congress MP Karti Chidambaram criticised the Minister’s response as “whataboutery”. He said the killings, particularly planned revenge attacks, were alarming and called for visible policing, increased patrols and random identity checks.
“This is classic whataboutery by Minister @imrajmohan, the fact is that murders, particularly planned revenge killings are taking place, this is alarming & worrisome. Degenerate criminal behaviour is rising in society. It’s incumbent upon the government @CMOTamilnadu to have a visible show of force, increase patrolling & random ID checks & mandate all those in KD lists report to the designated police station daily. Statistics that these murders happened previously is no solace to the citizenry.”