In a shocking incident in Coimbatore on Tuesday, September 12, two people narrowly escaped a brutal assault by a gang of six armed individuals, all transpiring in broad daylight and full public view. This begs the question of the current law and order situation in Tamil Nadu.
The victims were identified as N Ranjith, a 23-year-old resident of Gandhipuram who operated an audio service shop, and T Nithish Kumar, a 21-year-old choreographer hailing from Ganapathi.
The incident occurred as Ranjith and Nithish Kumar were returning from a hearing at the Coimbatore combined court complex. Nitish and Ranjith are out on conditional bail – they were charged in a woman harassment and criminal case, respectively.
Accompanied by their friend, Karthik Kumar, they were riding a two-wheeler. Unbeknownst to them, a gang of six had been tailing them since their departure from the police commissioner’s office.
The gang’s aggressive pursuit escalated when they cornered the trio on Ramar Kovil Street in the bustling Ram Nagar area. In a horrifying turn of events, the gang members, wielding machetes, launched a vicious attack on Ranjith and Nithish Kumar, inflicting severe injuries. However, the victims managed to escape and sought refuge in a nearby street.
Two of the assailants concealed their identities with helmets, while the others covered their faces with cloth. Law enforcement promptly intervened, with the Kattoor police rescuing the injured victims and transporting them to Coimbatore Medical College Hospital (CMCH) for medical attention. Two police teams were formed to pursue and apprehend the suspects.
Authorities suspect the attack may be linked to an ongoing feud, with one of the assailants identified as Ravindhra of Kovilpalayam. Additionally, there are suspicions of the involvement of Unnikrishnan from Saravanampatti, a suspect in a murder case from 2021.
This alarming incident marks the third instance of a public gang attack within the city this year. Earlier occurrences include the brutal murder of realtor R Sathyapandi on February 12, who was hacked and shot dead by a four-member gang near Nava India, as well as the murder of 24-year-old G Gokul from Kovilpalayam, who fell victim to a rival gang near the court complex the following day.
TN BJP President K Annamalai took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to question the ruling DMK government about the pathetic state of law and order in the state.
He posted, “In broad daylight, in the same Coimbatore where criminals are walking freely from the court premises with deadly weapons, a consultation meeting on public safety of the Tamil Nadu Police Commission was held today at the office of the Coimbatore Commissioner of Police in the presence of District Collectors, Municipal Police Commissioners, District Police Commissioners, District Police Commissioners, District Police Commissioners, West Zone Police Department, Council for the Civil Security of the Tamil Nadu Police Commission.
The DMK government has tied the hands of the police and made them work in favour of the DMK members, for the political activities of the ruling party and to intimidate the opposition parties. Owing to this, criminal activities are increasing all over Tamil Nadu. The DMK has created an unsafe environment for the public. There is significant doubt that preventative action has become an unheard-of activity for the Tamil Nadu government. Will the DMK government free the police from the ruling party’s control, maintain law and order, and ensure people’s safety?”
The state of law enforcement in Tamil Nadu has seen a decline since the DMK government assumed power in 2021, with numerous occurrences of hacking, chain snatching, theft, and physical assaults taking place since then. However, the ministers and members of the ruling party are more keen on eradicating Sanatana Dharma rather than focusing on more pressing issues ailing the state.
