A 30-year-old man with a criminal history was arrested for shooting and killing a PMK worker in Vellore district during Diwali, sparking widespread political outrage and raising serious concerns regarding law and order across Tamil Nadu.

A 30-year-old man with a criminal history was arrested for shooting and killing a PMK worker in Vellore district during Diwali, sparking widespread political outrage and raising serious concerns regarding law and order across Tamil Nadu.

A 30-year-old man with a criminal history was arrested for shooting and killing a PMK worker in Vellore district during Diwali, sparking widespread political outrage and raising serious concerns regarding law and order across Tamil Nadu.

A 30-year-old man was arrested in Tamil Nadu after he was accused of opening fire and killing a Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) worker. The incident has increased scrutiny of law and order in the state, as it follows ten reported murders, including one of a police officer, on the occasion of Diwali. 

The victim was identified as 43-year-old Gnanavel, a farmer and a PMK worker. A 40-year-old hotel chef, Raghu, and another PMK functionary from the village also sustained injuries. 

According to local media reports, the accused, Poovarasam, had a longstanding grudge with Gnanavel. Police said Gnanavel had allegedly threatened Poovarasam’s friend, which may have prompted him to shoot. 

The incident took place around 6 pm on Sunday in the Sengundram village in Vellore. Before coming to the village, Poovarasam allegedly called Gnanavel and asked him where he was. Gnanavel told him that he was near the village bus stop. Raghu was also with him. 

Poovarasam allegedly arrived at the spot and started shooting. Gnanavel was reportedly shot ten times using a country-made gun. The other PMK worker allegedly sustained a bullet injury to his right hand. 

As it was Diwali, residents initially mistook the gunshots for firecrackers. They rushed to the spot, hearing Gnanavel’s cries and took him to the Gudiyatham Government Hospital. 

The bullets injured Gnanavel’s face, neck and chest, and he was declared dead by the doctors. The other men are undergoing treatment. Gnanavel’s body has been shifted to the Vellore medical college for post-mortem. 

Over 200 PMK workers, relatives and villagers gathered outside the government hospital. Police personnel were deployed in the area to maintain order. 

Poovarasam allegedly faced 13 criminal cases at various police stations. He has been detained under the Goondas Act several times and had cases registered against him for murder, attempt to murder, robbery and ganja peddling.

When Poovarasam was caught and interrogated, he attempted to escape and attacked a sub-inspector. The police shot him in the right leg to prevent him from escaping. He is currently undergoing treatment at the Gudiyatham Government Hospital. 

The murder added to a list of killings that were reported from various parts of Tamil Nadu during Diwali. The victims included a Special Sub-Inspector of police from Theni, a 20-year-old IT employee from Chennai and two 17-year-old daily wage labourers. 

DMK MP Kanimozhi questioned the TVK government over the state's lack of law and order. 

“On one hand, people are celebrating Diwali, while on the other hand, the families of those who lost their lives under this inhuman regime are hearing the death throes. No matter how many more lives are lost, Chief Minister @TVKVijayHQ , who lives in the arrogance of success gained through screen glamour , will not open his mouth. Chief Minister, don't think that the people will always tolerate everything!” she wrote on X. 

The fresh wave of murders also follows the jailbreak in Tamil Nadu’s Theni district, where seventeen undertrial prisoners escaped on October 26.