Prime suspect in Tamil Nadu BSP leader's murder case killed in clash

New Delhi:

A key suspect in the July murder of former Tamil Nadu BSP leader K. Armstrong was shot dead by police in Chennai early today, the third police operation in the Tamil Nadu capital since July.

The suspect, “Seizing” Raja, was arrested in Andhra Pradesh just a day before the incident. The police operation took place near Neelangarai on East Coast Road. A Chennai police official told NDTV, “We are investigating the circumstances of Raja's death and will issue a statement soon.”

This incident follows the deaths of Thiruvengadam, another suspect in the murder case, and Kakkathopu Balaji, a known criminal, who was killed in similar circumstances just a few days ago. In both the previous incidents, authorities claimed that the police were compelled to shoot in self-defence.

The recent series of killings in Chennai has raised alarm among human rights activists, who are criticising the police for their “cruel” and “extrajudicial” actions. They also accuse the police of becoming “trigger-happy” under the new police commissioner Ravi.

Henri Tiphagne, founder and executive director of People's Watch, condemned the actions of law enforcement agencies, saying: “The judiciary should take up this task on its own initiative. The State Human Rights Commission and the State Legal Services also have the same responsibility.” He warned that such measures could lead to an environment in which citizens feel unsafe as the police justify every killing by an encounter.