A violent confrontation erupted within the walls of Chennai's Puzhal Central Prison on Friday, involving two undertrial prisoners connected to the high-profile murder of BSP's former state president, Armstrong. The incident occurred during lunch hours and resulted in injuries to a prison official who attempted to intervene.
Details of the Prison Altercation
The clash was between two inmates identified as Appu, from Pudur near Sholinghur, and Ponnai Balu, who is the brother of the slain history-sheeter known as 'Arcot' Suresh. According to sources within the prison, Appu initiated the attack on Balu inside the prison complex. Balu retaliated, leading to a physical fight.
Assistant Jailer Thirunavukkarasu stepped in to pacify the two men but was pushed to the ground during the scuffle. He sustained injuries and had to be administered first-aid at the prison hospital following the incident.
Root Cause and Rivalry Behind the Fight
Investigations into the brawl revealed a deeper conflict. Appu was reportedly involved in preparing country-made bombs intended for use in the July 5, 2024, murder of K. Armstrong. The tensions inside the prison escalated after Appu confronted Balu, accusing him of failing to fulfill promises of financial assistance and legal support.
Prison officials stated that the altercation is also linked to an ongoing rivalry between two groups. One faction is led by Ponnai Balu and Manivannan, while the other is associated with Pudur Appu. The rivalry is centered on bail-related issues in the Armstrong murder case. The verbal argument quickly turned physical before prison guards could intervene, separate both groups, and confine them to their respective cells.
Aftermath and Security Review
Based on a formal complaint lodged by the prison authorities, the Puzhal police have registered a case of attempted murder against both Appu and Ponnai Balu.
The incident has raised significant security concerns within the prison facility. It has prompted the authorities to review internal monitoring systems and preventive measures. The goal is to avoid further violent clashes among rival inmate groups housed within the same complex.
This event highlights the challenges of managing high-profile undertrial prisoners involved in interconnected criminal cases and the potential for existing gang rivalries to spill over into the prison environment.
