TVK functionary killed in Adyar; political parties question Tamil Nadu law and order
A 45-year-old functionary of the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), S Kannan, was killed in a violent attack in Adyar, Chennai, on Saturday night. Police said a group of five men attacked him, and all five suspects, aged 20, have since been arrested.
According to preliminary police investigations, the murder appears to have been linked to an old personal dispute. Kannan, who had a criminal history, was reportedly under police surveillance.
The incident took place around 9.30–9.45 pm. A friend who was with Kannan said two helmeted men first arrived on a motorcycle and attacked him. Three others later joined them. The group then escaped on two-wheelers after attacking Kannan.
Police said Kannan sustained serious injuries and died at the scene. His maternal uncle, Purushothamman, subsequently filed a complaint, following which a case was registered.
A special police team was formed under Chennai Police Commissioner A Amalraj. The arrested suspects were identified as Bharani, Rakesh, Naresh, Manikandan and Hariharan.
Police said the suspected motive was revenge arising from an earlier dispute. Investigators said Kannan and his associates were allegedly involved in the killing of Siva, Bharani’s maternal uncle, in 2009. Bharani’s father, Velu, was also reportedly killed earlier in Saidapet. Police believe these past incidents led to the latest attack.
The murder has triggered criticism from several political parties, including the DMK, PMK and BJP, over the law-and-order situation in Tamil Nadu.
Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin criticised the TVK government, pointing out that the incident occurred shortly before Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay was scheduled to respond to the police department’s demands in the Assembly.
He questioned whether the government could claim that the state’s law and order situation was satisfactory when such a killing had taken place in Chennai. Stalin urged the government to focus on protecting the public rather than engaging in political blame.