Tamil Nadu under DMK rule appears to be no longer safe even for police personnel, if recent fatal attacks on them are any indication. A Special Sub-Inspector (SI) of the Tamil Nadu Police, Shanmugasundaram, was brutally hacked to death by a father-son duo at an estate belonging to AIADMK MLA Mahendran in Tiruppur district. The incident occurred during the late hours of 5 August 2025.
#JUSTIN | எஸ்எஸ்ஐ கொலை – 2 பேர் சரண்#Tiruppur | #Udumalaipettai | #SSI | #TiruppurSSIMurder pic.twitter.com/M8rUwrcBlr
— PttvOnlinenews (@PttvNewsX) August 6, 2025
Shanmugasundaram, a native of Thalavai Pattinam near Dharapuram, was serving at the Kudimangalam Police Station near Udumalpet. This tragic incident occurred on the premises of a sitting legislator. Senior police officials visited the crime scene and ordered a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to the murder.
திருப்பூர்: படுகொலை செய்யப்பட்ட காவல் சிறப்பு உதவி ஆய்வாளர் சண்முகவேல் உடலுக்கு, 30 குண்டுகள் முழங்க காவல்துறை ஏடிஜிபி டேவிட்சன் தேவ ஆசிர்வாதம் தலைமையில் காவல்துறையினர் மரியாதை.
முன்னதாக சிறப்பு உதவி ஆய்வாளர் சண்முகவேலின் உடலை தமிழக டிஜிபி சங்கர் ஜிவால், ஏடிஜிபி டேவிட்சன் தேவ… pic.twitter.com/hEXVOVM6PE
— PttvOnlinenews (@PttvNewsX) August 6, 2025
According to the police, Murthy and his son Thangapandi have surrendered before the District Superintendent of Police (SP). A search is underway to apprehend Manikandan, another son of Murthy, who is absconding.
Condemning the murder of a police officer who had gone to pacify a drunken brawl, Tamil Nadu BJP chief Nainar Nagendran offered condolences to the bereaved family, calling it “a heart-wrenching incident.”
Launching a scathing attack on the DMK government, Nagendran said, “Addiction to liquor and drugs is the primary reason for the uncontrollable rise in crime, making the state unsafe for the public. Now, even the police, who are meant to protect the people, are facing the same fate. There is no guarantee for the lives of police personnel in Tamil Nadu. Drinking in open and public places and attacking those who object has become the norm. It is now common and seemingly unavoidable, this has angered the public. The DMK believes that offering compensation to the families of victims will divert public attention. That miscalculation will not work anymore. People have begun praying for the end of this government, which has failed to manage the deteriorating law and order situation. This frustration will reflect in the upcoming Assembly elections.”
மக்களை பாதுகாக்க வேண்டிய காவலர்களுக்கே டாஸ்மாக் மாடல் ஆட்சியில் பாதுகாப்பில்லாத அவல நிலை!
திருப்பூர் மாவட்டம் உடுமலைப்பேட்டை அருகே குடிபோதையில் தகராறில் ஈடுபட்டோர்களை விலக்கச் சென்ற காவல் ஆய்வாளர் திரு. சண்முகசுந்தரம் அவர்கள் வெட்டிப் படுகொலை செய்யப்பட்ட செய்தி மனதை பதைபதைக்க… pic.twitter.com/FoGHUUx2Dk
— Nainar Nagenthran (@NainarBJP) August 6, 2025
Hindu Munnani State President Kadeswara Subramaniam, in a three-page statement, said, “The nonstop killings under the so-called ‘Dravidian Model’ rule of the DMK government are deeply worrying. We have now reached a point where even police officers need protection. It reflects the sheer inefficiency of the current regime. During the DMK’s tenure, killings of all sorts are on the rise. Open any newspaper or tune into television news, there is an overwhelming surge in crime-related reports. Law and order is worsening. The rising number of murders is the epitome of this violence.”
The statement listed several recent incidents, including the hacking of a youth at the TG Puthur burial ground near Gopichettipalayam. In another case, a man taken in for questioning allegedly committed suicide on police station premises.
The statement also recalled the allegations made by the Mayiladuthurai DSP against his superiors and how he was clearly threatened by ruling party members. Under the DMK regime, whistleblowers who expose corruption, illegal mining, and sand quarrying have come under attack. Even journalists have not been spared. Recently, in Madurai, some minors were seen brandishing sickles and threatening policemen. In July, a temple security guard, Ajith Kumar, mysteriously died in illegal police custody. Two weeks ago, Tamil Nadu was rocked by the brutal murder of Kavin, reportedly due to an interfaith relationship. The so-called ‘Love Jihad’ killings and student deaths in government and missionary-run Christian schools are a direct result of police inefficiency and inaction. On 3 May, an elderly couple Ramaswamy and Pakkiammal were killed. Bowing to public outrage, the culprits were eventually arrested.
The statement further noted: “Even prison officials are not safe inside jails. The police are disproportionately keeping Hindu activists under surveillance as if they were extremists, while failing to prevent a slew of murders. The DMK is deceiving the public with empty slogans like ‘TN united’ and ‘TN will fight and win.’ The Chief Minister makes tall claims and praises his governance, but he must act swiftly to prevent the law and order situation from further deteriorating, and to ensure protection for the public and the police alike.”
Meanwhile, Special Sub-Inspector Hari Puthiran was suspended and two of his associates were arrested for creating a disturbance at a Chennai pub on the night of July 26. In another shocking case, sub-inspectors Saravanan and Krishnaveni were suspended after their son, Surjit, was arrested for the murder of a dalit youth, Kavin Ganesh, in Tirunelveli district.
A growing number of police officers have resigned, citing mental pressure, harassment, and being forced to act unlawfully to appease the ruling party. DSP Bharat Srinivas, who had cracked down on illicit liquor trade while posted in Pudukottai, has now decided to resign, citing mental agony and undue pressure. Following Supreme Court intervention, the probe against H.M. Jayaram, an ADGP, was transferred to the CB-CID. He had been suspended in connection with a case involving the abduction of a minor boy related to an inter-caste marriage.
Two more suspects were arrested in the case of Special SI Rajaraman, who died from head injuries after being assaulted on July 18. Rajaraman and his friends were reportedly drinking at a bar when he was pushed down by two companions, resulting in fatal injuries.
Critics say, “The Tamil Nadu Police, once regarded as one of the best in the world, has under the DMK regime lost its reputation, efficiency, and independence. They have become mere puppets of the ruling party. Honest officers are being punished, harassed, or transferred to remote postings or inconsequential roles.”
