Two Policemen Injured in Bomb Attack on Convict Escort in Perambalur
In a shocking incident near Perambalur on Saturday, two policemen escorting a convicted history-sheeter were injured when a gang hurled country-made bombs at them while they were having lunch at a hotel. The attack occurred near the Thirumandurai toll plaza on the Trichy-Chennai national highway, prompting police to open fire in retaliation, which forced the assailants to flee.
Details of the Attack and Police Response
The police team was transporting the history-sheeter, identified as S Kalimuthu alias 'Vellai' Kali, a 30-year-old resident of Kamarajapuram in Madurai, back to Puzhal prison in Chennai. Kalimuthu, who is lodged in Puzhal as a convicted prisoner, faces multiple cases including robbery, ganja possession, and murder across various districts. He had been brought from Puzhal to a Pudukottai court on Friday in connection with a case and was later shifted to Dindigul sub-jail for other pending hearings.
On Saturday morning, the escort team, comprising Perunagar Armed Reserve sub-inspector R Ramachandran (54), and two other AR personnel, S Vineshkumar (37) and K Maruthapandi (30), stopped for lunch at a hotel. Suddenly, a gang that had been tailing them arrived in two vans and threw six country-made bombs at Kalimuthu. In response, one of the policemen fired several rounds from his rifle towards the attackers.
Injuries and Investigation
Constables Vineshkumar and Maruthapandi sustained severe injuries in the attack. Officers from Mangalamedu police station rushed to the spot and initially admitted the two injured policemen to Perambalur Government Hospital for treatment. They were later shifted to a private hospital in Trichy for further medical care.
The gang abandoned one of their vehicles and fled in the other. Central zone inspector general V Balakrishnan confirmed that five special teams have been constituted to track down the criminals involved in this brazen assault. Perambalur superintendent of police G S Anitha and IG Balakrishnan visited the scene and are overseeing the investigation to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.
Background on the Convict
Kalimuthu, the history-sheeter at the center of this incident, has a long criminal record with cases registered in various police stations across districts. His involvement in serious offenses such as robbery and murder highlights the dangerous nature of the individuals police often have to handle. This attack underscores the risks faced by law enforcement personnel while performing their duties, especially when escorting high-profile criminals.
The incident has raised concerns about security protocols during prisoner transfers and the need for heightened vigilance to prevent such attacks in the future. Authorities are now reviewing the circumstances to strengthen escort procedures and ensure the safety of police personnel and the public.
