In a dramatic escalation of the investigation into the brutal murder of Special Sub-Inspector (SSI) M. Shanmugavel, Tamil Nadu Police shot dead the prime suspect, M. Manikandan, early Thursday near Upparu Dam in Chikkanur, Tiruppur district. The incident occurred during a probe to recover the sickle used in the SSI’s killing, when Manikandan allegedly attacked Sub-Inspector Saravanakumar and attempted to flee, prompting police to open fire in self-defense.

The saga began late Tuesday, August 5, when SSI Shanmugavel, 57, and Constable Azhagu Raja, 35, responded to a distress call at a farm owned by AIADMK MLA C. Mahendran in Gudimangalam village. The call reported a drunken brawl between Moorthy, 65, and his sons, Manikandan and Thangapandian, who worked as daily-wage laborers. Shanmugavel intervened, sending the injured Moorthy to a hospital, but Manikandan, enraged by the police action, allegedly hacked the SSI to death with a sickle. The trio then attempted to attack the constable and farm manager, both of whom escaped.

Moorthy and Thangapandian surrendered to the Tiruppur District Superintendent of Police on Wednesday, while Manikandan, a habitual offender with prior cases, went on the run. Six special police teams tracked him down late Wednesday. During Thursday’s investigation near Upparu stream, Manikandan’s attack on Saravanakumar led to his fatal shooting by a team led by Inspector Thirungagasambandan. The injured SI was admitted to Udumalpet Government Hospital, and Manikandan’s body was sent for postmortem at Tiruppur Government Medical College Hospital. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered.

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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced ₹1 crore in compensation for Shanmugavel’s family, calling the murder an “irreparable loss.” The incident, occurring on an MLA’s property, has sparked outrage, with BJP leader Nainar Nagenthran blaming the DMK government’s failure to curb liquor and drug abuse. Posts on X reflect public shock, with users questioning police safety and law enforcement under the current regime. The investigation continues to probe the circumstances and potential motives behind the violent clash.

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