Violence on Diwali: 10, including cop, killed in Tamil Nadu

Chennai: Ten people, including a police officer and two teenagers, were killed in a series of violent incidents across Tamil Nadu during Diwali celebrations, with the deaths reported between Sunday and the early hours of Monday. Preliminary police findings point to personal disputes, previous enmity and drunken clashes behind the killings.

In Theni district, police officer Senthil Kumar died on Monday after being attacked by a group of youngsters whom he had reprimanded for bursting firecrackers on a road, obstructing traffic and filming reels. The group allegedly turned violent following his intervention.

In Chennai's Vyasarpadi, six men hacked auto-rickshaw driver Dhanush to death after he confronted them over an assault on his brother. Police suspect previous enmity and have launched a search for the accused.

Two 17-year-olds were hacked to death by an unidentified gang near the Pullambadi canal in Tiruchirappalli on Sunday night. Three special teams have been formed to trace the attackers.

In another incident in the district, a 20-year-old IT employee who had returned from Chennai for Diwali was killed during a dispute with neighbours while bursting firecrackers. He was attacked in the chest with an iron object.

In Cuddalore, Prithviraj, who had criminal cases against him, was stabbed to death with a beer bottle during a clash with Arularasan. Police later shot the accused in the leg and arrested him.

Ravi, who had gone out with friends for Diwali celebrations, was found dead near a temple in Perambalur in the early hours of Monday. A 25-year-old man was beaten to death following a clash near Aruppukkottai, while two more killings were reported in Sivaganga district.