The Hindu : Fleeing gangster shot dead

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Nov 19, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu-Chennai

Fleeing gangster shot dead

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI NOV. 18 . In a pre-dawn operation a gangster who allegedly attempted to flee after attacking two police sub-inspectors with country bombs and a knife was shot dead near Clive Battery in north Chennai. The gangster was identified as Sura alias Suresh of Vyasarpadi.

Narrating the sequence of events, the City Police Commissioner, K. Vijay Kumar, said a special patrol team was conducting a vehicle check near the Mint Junction when the accused sped away on a motorcycle. Following the message on the wireless, two police sub-inspectors gave a chase and cornered him near the Clive Battery junction. The suspect dashed his two-wheeler into a parked vehicle and fell down.

"On seeing the police personnel he threw a country bomb and then attacked them with a knife. One of the personnel suffered cut injuries and has been admitted to hospital," Mr. Vijay Kumar said.

The Commissioner told mediapersons that "the police personnel opened fire in self-defence as the accused wanted to hurl another country bomb. Gelatin sticks, detonators, a country bomb-like object and a cellular phone were seized from him".

Though initially the police were not aware of the culprit's identity, he was identified after sustained investigation.

Mr. Vijay Kumar said the accused, apart from being involved in a series of crimes including murder, attempt to murder was part of a gang involved in a recent robbery case.

"We are not sure about the motive behind the culprit possessing gelatin sticks. Our intelligence reveals that the culprit was planning a major crime in the city. He had discussed this with some of his associates in prison," he said.

Asked if the current approach to policing, with the gunning down of four suspects and injuring a chain-snatcher had an impact on crime, the Commissioner said: "there is a definite reduction in crime. However, police open fire only when it is absolutely necessary and when they face a threat to their lives. They react according to the situation that prevails. Even the public has a right to their safety. When confronted by a criminal, the section 103 IPC (right to private defence) provides the right for the public to protect themselves".

The intensive patrolling also led to a reduction in crime, he said.

Today's pre-dawn operation was conducted on the directions of the JCP (North) C. Sylendra Babu, and the Flower Bazaar (DCP), Mahesh Kumar Agarwal.

On November 3, a gangster was shot dead on the busy North Usman Road in T.Nagar when he attempted to flee after attacking an inspector. The accused, Stalin allegedly led a gang, which robbed the house of a former Corporation councillor at Kodambakkam.

During the last couple of months, four gangsters including a Mumbai don have been killed in shootouts and another chain-snatching accused injured in the leg.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

Stories in this Section

Fleeing gangster shot dead

`Serious security lapse', Jayalalithaa leaves in hurry

It was not cholera death: Corporation

`Vibrant Indian' award conferred on Mahalingam

Indian Airline's humanitarian gesture

Empowering citizens to monitor road quality

Modified route for lorries

Concern over water stagnation in Chromepet GH