Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai has strongly criticized the fatal encounter of Thiruvengadam, a surrendered murder accused linked to the case involving the murder of Tamil Nadu BSP Chief K Armstrong on 14 July 2024.
Annamalai has expressed suspicion that the surrendered suspect’s attempt to flee and subsequent encounter by the police may indicate an effort to conceal facts. He alleged that three DMK members implicated in Armstrong’s murder, questions whether the investigation is proceeding in the correct direction. He also urged the DMK government to conduct a comprehensive and swift investigation into Armstrong’s murder.
In an official statement issued via his X account, Annamalai expressed his dismay, stating, “Thiruvenkadam, who surrendered in the murder case of Bahujan Samaj Party state president Armstrong, was shot dead by the Tamil Nadu police in an encounter today. It has been reported that Thiruvengadam was shot and killed while fleeing.”
The fact that a man who surrendered to the murder tried to escape has raised serious suspicions. As three DMK members were involved in Armstrong’s murder, it seems that there is an attempt to cover up some truth. It also raises the question of whether the Armstrong murder case is headed in the right direction. I urge that the higher authorities of the police should be properly investigate shooting of Thiruvenkadam by the police d and also urge the DMK government to conduct a fair and speedy investigation into Armstrong’s murder.” He added
பகுஜன் சமாஜ் கட்சியின் மாநிலத் தலைவர் திரு.ஆம்ஸ்ட்ராங் அவர்கள் கொலை வழக்கில் சரணடைந்த திருவேங்கடம் என்பவரை, இன்று தமிழக காவல்துறையினர் என்கவுண்டரில் சுட்டுக் கொன்றிருக்கிறார்கள். திருவேங்கடம், தப்பி ஓடும்போது சுட்டுக் கொன்றதாகத் தெரிவித்துள்ளனர்.
கொலை செய்ததாகச் சரணடைந்த ஒருவர்…
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) July 14, 2024
Earlier, the General Secretary of AIADMK, Edappadi K Palaniswami, raised doubts on the encounter by the police, prompting him to advocate for the investigation to be transferred to the CBI.
In his official X account EPS stated, “The reports are coming in that one of the surrendered, rowdy Tiruvenkadam in the Bahujan Samaj Party state president Armstrong’s murder case have been encountered by the police. What was the need to rush someone in police custody early in the morning and shoot them dead? Did the police handcuff the murder accused while taking him to confiscate the weapons? Suspicions arise strongly about who this encounter is to save.”
“As Armstrong’s family and his party suspect that those who surrendered are not real criminals, such actions by the police only reinforce their suspicions. Thiruvenkadam’s statement regarding this case must be sealed and handed over to the court! As the investigation of this case is losing confidence, it should be transferred to the CBI as per the demand of the Armstrong family and the Bahujan Samaj Party.” He added.
பகுஜன் சமாஜ் கட்சி மாநிலத் தலைவர் ஆம்ஸ்ட்ராங் கொலை வழக்கில் சரணடைந்தவர்களுள் திருவேங்கடம் என்ற ரவுடி காவல்துறையினரால் என்கவுண்டர் செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளதாக செய்திகள் வருகின்றன.
காவல்துறையின் கஸ்டடியில் இருக்கும் ஒருவரை, அதிகாலையில் அவசர அவசரமாக அழைத்து வந்து சுட்டுக்கொல்லவேண்டிய தேவை… pic.twitter.com/NhAMFmI3A0
— Edappadi K Palaniswami – Say No To Drugs & DMK (@EPSTamilNadu) July 14, 2024
The police on 14 July 2024 fatally shot one of the eleven suspects in the murder case of Tamil Nadu BSP chief K Armstrong in an encounter near Madhavaram . The incident occurred when the suspect, identified as K Thiruvengadam from Kundrathur allegedly attempted to attack police officers and flee when he was taken to to recover the weapons used for the murder.
Earlier that morning, Thiruvengadam had been brought to a location near a lake in Madhavaram where the weapons used in Armstrong’s murder were believed to be hidden. At this spot, he purportedly made a move against a policeman, prompting the fatal gunfire. After being shot, Thiruvengadam was swiftly taken to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Armstrong had been brutally attacked and killed on 5 July 2024, while he stood outside his house in Perambur. Following his death, eight individuals, including Thiruvengadam, were arrested by Greater Chennai police. The suspects, identified as Ponnai V Balu, D Ramu, K S Thirumalai, D Selvaraj, G Arul, K Manivannan, J Santosh, and three others arrested the next day, were apprehended in connection to the murder.
Authorities stated that Armstrong’s killing was in retaliation for the 2023 murder of history sheeter Arcot Suresh near Foreshore Estate. Notably, Ponnai V Balu, one of the arrested suspects, is the younger brother of Suresh. On 11 July 2024, the city police obtained a five-day custody of the suspects for further interrogation.
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