A tragic incident occurred in the Kejjalnaicanpatty forest area near Mallur in Salem on Sunday night, where a 17-year-old boy was brutally murdered by three minor boys following a drunken altercation.
Victim Identified
The deceased has been identified as Gokul, a Class 11 student and resident of Seelanayakkanpatty. He was reportedly related to one of the accused.
Details of the Incident
According to police reports, three minor boys—a 16-year-old from Maniyanur studying in Class 10 at Mallur Government Higher Secondary School, another 16-year-old studying in Class 9 at a private school in the same area, and a 16-year-old from Bihar living in Maniyanur—were consuming alcohol in the forest area when Gokul joined them. The trio had become friends through Facebook.
An argument broke out between the three intoxicated boys and Gokul, who allegedly scolded them using caste-based slurs. Enraged by the remarks, the three boys stabbed Gokul repeatedly with knives, leading to his death on the spot.
Public Intervention and Arrests
Hearing the commotion, local residents rushed to the scene and found Gokul lying in a pool of blood. The three accused attempted to flee, but two of them were caught by the public and handed over to the Mallur police station. The third suspect is still at large.
Legal Proceedings
Gokul's body was sent to the Salem Government Hospital for postmortem examination. Police have registered a case and are investigating the matter further. The two apprehended minors are currently in police custody.
This incident highlights the dangers of underage drinking and the escalating violence among youth in the region. Authorities have urged parents to monitor their children's activities and social media interactions closely.
