Police officer beaten to death in Theni during Diwali celebrations; four arrested

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Chennai, Nov 9 (IANS) In a shocking incident that has raised serious concerns over law and order in Tamil Nadu, a police Special Sub-Inspector (SSI) was allegedly beaten to death by a group of intoxicated youths during Diwali celebrations at Samadharmapuram in Theni district. The incident occurred late on Sunday night.

The deceased officer, identified as Senthil Kumar, sustained critical injuries after being attacked by the group following an altercation over Diwali celebrations on a public road.

According to preliminary information, the incident occurred when a group of youths allegedly blocked a road, burst firecrackers and engaged in activities involving the recording of social media reels.

An argument reportedly broke out between the youths and the police officer, following which members of the group allegedly assaulted him.

Senthil Kumar suffered severe injuries in the attack and was rushed to hospital. However, he succumbed to his injuries before reaching the medical facility.

Police have arrested four persons in connection with the incident and launched an investigation to establish the circumstances leading to the fatal assault and identify others who may have been involved.

Theni Superintendent of Police Praveen Gautham visited the scene and reviewed the situation with senior officers.

Investigators have collected CCTV footage from the surrounding area to reconstruct the sequence of events and determine the roles of those involved.

Additional police personnel were deployed in Samadharmapuram throughout the night to prevent further disturbances and maintain law and order.

The killing of a serving police officer during Diwali celebrations has triggered widespread shock and concern over the safety of personnel performing their duties.

The incident comes less than two weeks after a major security breach at Thekkampatti jail in Theni district, where 17 undertrial prisoners escaped on October 26 after allegedly attacking prison personnel.

All 17 were subsequently brought back into custody. Nine prison personnel were suspended, while the state government constituted a high-level committee headed by retired DGP J.K. Tripathy to examine security lapses and recommend corrective measures.

The two incidents have brought policing and security arrangements in Theni under renewed scrutiny.

–IANS

aal/rad

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India broke free from ‘decades of shackles’ since 2014: PM Modi

Dahod, May 26 (IANS) On the 10th anniversary of his first swearing-in as Prime Minister, Narendra Modi returned to his home state, Gujarat, for a two-day visit, evoking strong nationalist sentiment and invoking the legacy of tribal pride and asserting that India broke free from “decades of shackles” since 2014.

Addressing a massive gathering in Dahod after a vibrant roadshow in Vadodara, PM Modi launched a fierce attack on his political opponents and hailed the spirit of “New India” under his leadership.

After the success of the Sindoor Samman Yatra in Vadodara, where PM Modi greeted crowds and met the family of martyr Colonel Sophia, the Prime Minister arrived in Dahod to an overwhelming reception.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw welcomed him on stage, while dignitaries and local citizens chanted slogans in support of PM Modi.

In a symbolic gesture, the Chief Minister presented the Prime Minister with a statue of freedom fighter and tribal icon Lord Birsa Munda, reinforcing the region’s tribal identity and heritage.

PM Modi was also gifted a commemorative photo frame of Operation Sindoor, a covert military operation he later described as a testament to India’s fearless military resolve.

The highlight of the visit was the Prime Minister laying the foundation stone and dedicating development works worth Rs 24,000 crore to the nation. Among these is the much-anticipated Railway Production Unit in Dahod, which will produce locomotive engines under the “Made in Dahod” initiative.

The Rs 20,000 crore project aims to boost employment and turn the tribal region into a hub of industrial innovation.

In a speech laced with emotions, PM Modi reminded the crowd of the historic day a decade ago when he was sworn in as Prime Minister.

“Exactly ten years ago, I took oath as the Prime Minister of the country. Today, in 2024, I appear before you again, blessed by the love and trust of 140 crore Indians,” he said, drawing loud applause.

He claimed that India had broken free from “decades of shackles” since 2014 and was now moving forward in every sector.

“We are now hoisting the Tricolour not just in the skies, but also pulling it out of the darkness of despair into the light of faith,” he declared.

The Prime Minister also delivered strong words aimed at his political adversaries, invoking Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam terror attack.

“Operation Sindoor is not just a military mission. It’s a reflection of our emotions. Those who mastermind terror can’t even imagine what it means to confront Modi,” he said to thunderous cheers.

Referring to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, he said, “When we saw those images, our blood boiled. The terrorists didn’t just attack our soldiers — they challenged 140 crore Indians. And I did what the country had entrusted me to do as Pradhan Sevak.”

PM Modi recalled that on the night of May 6, Indian armed forces located nine terrorist camps across the border and destroyed them within just 22 minutes, a military feat he described as “unseen by the world in decades.”

–IANS

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Keonjhar shocker: BJD MP urges banking reforms after man digs up sister’s body

Bhubaneswar, April 28 (IANS) In the wake of a shocking incident in which a man dug up his sister’s body and reached a nearby bank in the Patna block of Keonjhar district with her skeletal remains on Monday to withdraw money from her account, Manas Ranjan Mangaraj, leader of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) parliamentary party, on Tuesday urged Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to initiate immediate reforms in rural banking practices.

In his letter, Mangaraj expressed deep concern over the incident in Keonjhar district, stating that a poor tribal man, Jitu Munda, was forced to dig up his deceased sister’s skeletal remains and carry them to a bank branch to prove her death and claim Rs 19,300 lying in her account after he was asked to furnish a death certificate, which he did not have.

“This heartbreaking incident is not just a personal tragedy, it is a reflection of the harsh and often insensitive realities faced by poor and marginalised citizens while dealing with formal banking systems,” wrote Mangaraj.

He also stated that despite the remarkable banking reforms introduced by the Union government, including financial inclusion through the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, direct benefit transfers, and digital banking access, the shocking incident in Keonjhar district exposes the painful gap between policy and ground reality.

He said that, for an illiterate tribal villager with no legal awareness or resources, demanding complex documentation without guidance or local verification becomes an impossible barrier.

“Instead of support, he was met with helplessness and humiliation, forcing him into an act of desperation that has shocked the nation. This is not merely a banking issue; it is a humanitarian issue. It calls for immediate reforms in rural banking practices, especially for vulnerable groups such as tribals, widows, senior citizens, and people living in remote areas,” said Mangaraj.

The senior BJD leader sought the immediate intervention of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to initiate much-needed reforms to address the difficulties faced by those who are illiterate and lack banking and legal awareness.

“I humbly urge your office to direct immediate intervention in this matter and initiate reforms such as simplified claim procedures for small deposits, compassionate field verification systems, and greater accountability of bank officials handling such sensitive cases. No citizen of India should be pushed to such painful extremes to access their own family’s hard-earned savings,” he added.

–IANS

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Celebrate New Year responsibly, says K’taka Home Minister

Bengaluru, Dec 31 (IANS) Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara on Wednesday appealed to the public to celebrate the New Year responsibly and also stated that security has been enhanced.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Parameshwara said, “Celebrate the New Year with responsibility. ‘Celebrate responsibly’ is the message we want to give today, and the Bengaluru Police have taken steps accordingly. We will ensure everyone’s safety and see that the New Year is celebrated peacefully.”

“We have taken several measures and steps, and informed the public as well. We have appealed and requested people to celebrate, but peacefully. That is our appeal to the people of Bengaluru,” he said.

Parameshwara said the police have identified 150 locations across Bengaluru for checks. “Celebrations will be allowed up to a certain limit. Once it crosses that limit, it becomes difficult. People who drive will lose reflexes and will not be able to drive properly, which can result in accidents. Unnecessarily, they may lose their lives and also pose a threat to others,” he said.

“If such activities are controlled for a few days, we will be saving lives. In this backdrop, these exercises are necessary. When there is overcrowding, it has to be viewed from multiple angles, including the threat of terrorism. With all this in mind, the Bengaluru Police are prepared to take action,” he said.

He said police personnel have been strictly instructed to wear body-worn cameras. “Everything will be recorded and directly connected to the command centre. If extra force is required, it will be deployed. All arrangements have been made systematically and scientifically,” he said.

Parameshwara said bars have been given specific timings. “They have been instructed to close by 1 am. If they do not comply, cases will be registered against them,” he said.

“We have imposed restrictions in certain areas where people celebrate openly on the streets. In Bengaluru, many people come from outside the city to celebrate the New Year, and locals often become a minority. Naturally, people drink, celebrate and greet each other. At midnight, when crowds gather to exchange wishes, there can be pushing and jostling, which may lead to other incidents. Keeping this in mind, the police have taken precautionary measures,” he said.

Speaking on governance, Parameshwara said, “By 2026, Karnataka should become a model state. There may be some aberrations, but we must deliver good governance. We have made several promises, and all of them must be fulfilled. We have performed well in the last two-and-a-half years, and the next two-and-a-half years should reflect even better governance.”

Commenting on a BJP delegation visiting the demolition site at Kogilu Layout in Bengaluru amid the demolition row, he said, “Let them go and see. Instead of politicising the issue, they should give suggestions to the government. We have taken steps in the interest of poor people. If they want to make it political, we are ready. Whenever poor people are given houses or benefits, the opposition raises such issues.”

“They do not like it when poor people who are sufferers are helped. Yes, the land was occupied unauthorisedly. Now they have been evicted, and on humanitarian grounds, the government is rehabilitating them. What is wrong with that? Sometimes they claim outsiders or Pakistanis have come. I do not think any responsible person would make such comments,” he said.

Answering another question, Parameshwara said an investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) was not required. “Our state is capable of handling this matter. Both are opposition leaders, and they have a certain responsibility. Making such comments without proper information or documentation is not responsible,” he said.

–IANS

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