Law and order in the state under DMK appears to be deteriorating, with more violent cases coming to light. In one such incident, a young student was brutally attacked and later killed, with the attacker alleged to be under the influence of alcohol or liquor.
A Class 10 student, who was attacked with a sickle by a youth at Panagudi on the evening of the January 5, succumbed to his injuries on the January 8, despite treatment at Kanniyakumari Government Medical College Hospital.
According to reports, the deceased was identified as Lakshmanan (16), a Class 10 student of a Government Higher Secondary School in Panagudi. He had suffered severe cut injuries in the attack that took place on fateful day.
It is learnt that the boy had gone to his neighbour Sabarirajan’s (23) house to watch television. A verbal altercation reportedly took place between them. Sabarirajan allegedly attacked the teenager with a sickle, inflicting severe injuries to the head. It is learnt that the boy received as many as 16 sickle cuts on his body.
திருநெல்வேலி மாவட்டம் பணகுடியில் கஞ்சா போதையில் இருந்த சபரிராஜன் என்கிற சமூக விரோதி 15 வயதுள்ள லட்சுமணன் என்கிற சிறுவனை உடலில் 16 இடங்களில் வெட்டியதால் அந்த பச்சிளம் பாலகன் உயிரிழந்துள்ளார்..!!
சிறுவன் லட்சுமணனை இழந்துவாடும் குடும்பத்தினர் மற்றும் உறவினர்களுக்கு எனது ஆழ்ந்த… pic.twitter.com/MoLIH2rUyU
— H Raja (@HRajaBJP) January 8, 2026
The injured boy was immediately taken to the government hospital at Panagudi and later shifted to the Kanyakumari Government Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment.
Preliminary police probe revealed that the accused was under the influence of alcohol. Some reports claimed ganja use, but police said there was no evidence regarding the use of ganja or other narcotic substances.
உத்திர பிரதேச மாநிலத்திலுள்ள நெல்லை மாவட்டத்தின் பணகுடி என்னுமிடத்தில் நடந்தது..!!
இதெல்லாம் 0% கஞ்சா மாநிலத்தில் இல்லைங்க… pic.twitter.com/ICIxJQsog0
— K.Jayaprakash (@itskJayaprakash) January 8, 2026
Police said, “We have seen that he was slightly mentally ill and have referred him for further psychiatric assessment.”
If one goes by the images circulated on social media, it is being inferred that DMK functionaries were behind drug peddling networks. This allegedly includes Jaffar Sadiq, his brother, film director Amir, and local drug lords, who are said to operate with official patronage, including black sheep within the police and other agencies in the nearby areas.
Critics say the killing of a teenager in Panagudi once again reinforces opposition allegations that Tamil Nadu, under the Dravidian model of governance, has become a free zone for drugs of all kinds. Only recently, a migrant labourer was attacked with a machete in Tiruvallur, with similar attacks reported in other places targeting migrant guest workers.
Now, even local residents are not safe. Crimes committed under the influence of alcohol or narcotics are on the rise. Crimes for money, previous enmity, and offences against women and children are being reported on a daily basis. Temples are not even spared. Police often attribute such crimes to mental illness or intoxication.
