Multiple people killed in separate violent incidents across Tamil Nadu on Diwali
At least 10 people died in various districts during the festival, including a police officer and an IT employee.
At least 10 people were killed in separate violent incidents across Tamil Nadu from Sunday night to the early hours of Monday, according to The Tribune. The fatalities occurred in several districts, including Theni, Tiruchirappalli, Cuddalore, Chennai, Perambalur, and Sivaganga.
In Theni district, Special SI Senthil Kumar, 56, died in hospital after being assaulted by a group of youths in Samatharmapuram. Police said Senthil Kumar, who was attached to the Theni DSP’s office, was returning home in plain clothes when he warned a group of youths against bursting crackers on the road. The youths allegedly assaulted him as he began recording them on his phone.
Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has announced a solatium of Rs 40 lakh for the deceased officer's family.
In Tiruchirappalli district, an IT company employee named X Christopher, 20, was stabbed to death in Purathakudi village following an argument over firecrackers. The Tribune reported that the victim was struck in the chest with an iron tool. In a separate incident in the same district, two 17-year-old daily wage labourers, Rahul and Vishal, were hacked to death near the Pullambadi canal in Samayapuram.
The News Mill reported that the teenagers were attacked by unidentified assailants while walking near the canal.
Other reported deaths include a history-sheeter, Prithiviraj, who was stabbed with a beer bottle in Cuddalore, and an auto-rickshaw driver, Dhanush, who was hacked to death in Vyasarpadi, Chennai. In Perambalur, 50-year-old R Ravi was found dead near a temple on Monday morning. Police have formed several special teams to track suspects in these cases, and some individuals have already been arrested or are being sought.
Opposition leaders have criticised the state government, alleging a collapse of law and order. The Greater Chennai Police stated they had deployed over 18,000 personnel for security during the festival.