On 8 September 2024, Tamil Nadu witnessed a series of violent incidents, with six individuals, including a notable member of the ADMK from Tenkasi district, being murdered. These killings, driven by factors such as alcohol and drug abuse, have raised serious concerns about law and order in the state.
The recent murders of several political figures, including Armstrong, the former state president of the Bahujan Samaj Party, have caused significant upheaval. The ruling DMK’s coalition partners have strongly condemned the rising violence and are pressing the DMK government in Tamil Nadu to adopt stricter measures to restore order. Despite these calls for action, incidents of murder related to intoxication and mercenary violence persist unabated.
AIADMK Functionary Murder
Valliappan, a 52-year-old AIADMK functionary from Melanilithanallur near Sankarankovil in Tenkasi district, was brutally attacked and killed with blades and a sickle while taking his morning walk on 8 September. The assailants remain unidentified.
In connection with the case, Balamurugan, a resident of the same town, was apprehended by the Melanilithanallur police on the same day. The motive behind the murder is still under investigation. Notably, Valliappan’s wife, Mari Selvi, previously served as the Vice-Chairman of the Panchayat Union.
Murder Of Auto Driver
Jayaraj, a 26-year-old auto driver from Perumbakkam Ezhil Nagar, Chennai, was murdered early morning on 9 September 2024. Jayaraj, living separately from his wife Divya, 24, due to marital disagreements, was spending time with friends at Besant Nagar Velankanni Church and later at the beach.
During a late-night gathering, a dispute erupted among Jayaraj’s friends, leading to one of them stabbing him in the stomach around 1:00 a.m. The assailant then fled the scene. Bystanders reported the incident, and the Shastrinagar police recovered Jayaraj’s body, which was sent to Royapettah Government Hospital for an autopsy.
Sneha, 25, a friend’s wife who was present at the time, is being questioned by the police due to her inconsistent statements. Authorities have arrested two individuals in connection with the case and are exploring the possibility that the murder might be linked to an affair. The investigation is ongoing.
Murder Following Brawl
On 9 September 2024, the Karumathampatty police apprehended a 46-year-old man in connection with the alleged murder of his neighbour during a confrontation that took place on 8th September.
S. Duraisamy, a headload worker from Perumalkovil Street in Aathupalayam near Somanur, was known to frequently drink alcohol with his neighbour, M. Gokul, a 26-year-old employee of a private company in Tiruppur. On Saturday evening, the two were drinking at a secluded spot near a local temple when an argument over borrowed money escalated. Duraisamy reportedly attacked Gokul with a stone, inflicting severe head injuries.
Residents rushed Gokul to Coimbatore Medical College Hospital, but he was pronounced dead upon arrival. The police arrested Duraisamy on Sunday and placed him in judicial remand as the investigation continues.
Property Dispute Leads to Fatal Stabbing
Kannayiram, 65, from Pochampalli in Krishnagiri district, and his younger brother Palani, 61, had been in a long-standing feud over their property. They jointly owned three acres of land in Mozhivayanur village and one acre in Chinnaparayur village. Their dispute, which has lasted over a decade, intensified recently.
Palani was constructing a new house on his land in Chinnaparayur village when Kannayiram’s son, Ganapati, set fire to the old hut where Palani was living, destroying it. This act led to a heated argument between the two brothers on September 9th afternoon.
During the altercation, Palani was fatally attacked and cut in the neck, dying at the scene. Palani’s son, Periyaswamy, who tried to intervene, sustained a cut on his hand. The Barur police have since arrested Kannayiram in connection with the incident.
Drunken Altercation Leads to Fatal Stabbing
Gokul, a 30-year-old labourer from Kempatty Colony near Ukkadam in Coimbatore, was preparing for his brother’s wedding on September 9th. While his family was busy with wedding preparations, Gokul was seen drinking with friends.
As Gokul and his friends walked through Ashok Nagar, Balaji Avenue, near Selvapuram, they encountered Gokul’s cousin, Praveen. An argument quickly escalated, prompting Praveen to summon his friends. In a fit of rage, Praveen and his group attacked Gokul with a knife. After the assault, Praveen and his associates fled the scene.
Gokul, severely wounded, staggered a short distance before collapsing into a ditch, where he died from his injuries. The Selvapuram police later recovered his body.
The police have arrested five individuals in connection with the incident: Praveen (29), Nagaraj (27), his brothers Chandru (25), Surya (26), and Sanjay (25). The tragic death of Gokul, just before his brother’s wedding, has brought profound sorrow to the family and the community.
Revenge Killing While on Bail
Gopalsamy, 40, was murdered on 30th May in Paruthikulam, Mudukulathur Block, Ramanathapuram District, amid an ongoing feud. Following the murder, five individuals, including Karthikaraja, Mohan, Parameshwari, Siliyammal, and Vani, were arrested and detained by the Keelathooval police.
Mohan, who had been granted conditional bail, was required to report to the Keelathooval police station starting 20th August. On the morning of the incident, he had signed in at the station around 11:00 a.m. and was leaving when three people on a two-wheeler confronted him. They attacked Mohan, who succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The police are actively searching for the three suspects who escaped.
Summary of Murders from September 1-7, 2024
- Mahendran, a former soldier, was killed in Kovilpatti, Thoothukudi district, following an argument over money and alcohol abuse.
- Selvamani was murdered by Subramaniyan, the son of Siddhi, over a salary dispute in the Virudhachalam Chinnakanganankuppam area of Cuddalore district.
- Kalikumar, a motorist from Perumalthevanpatti near Kamuthi in Ramanathapuram district, was killed by an unknown gang near Kethanayakanpatti Thiruchuli in Virudhunagar district.
- Velkumar, the owner of a rice mill in Puzhal, Chennai, who had been missing for two months, was recovered as skeletal remains. The case is being investigated as a potential murder by unknown assailants.
- Kapildev, an IT employee from Nanjaikalakurichi, Karur district, was stabbed to death by his brother-in-law, Veeramalai.
- Ashika Parveen, a woman from Nilgiri district, was killed as a result of dowry-related abuse.
- Ramesh, a railway employee from Chengalpattu district, was found murdered in Uthiramerur, Kancheepuram district, after failing to repay a loan.
(With Inputs From Dinamalar)
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