Date:19/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/19/stories/2008071958450300.htm

Tamil Nadu

Whodunit air over nights Law and order

Fear of a psycho killer is haunting residents of K.K. Nagar, Vadapalani, and Ashok Nagar, writes S. Vijay Kumar

It is not a hunt confined to the police. Hundreds of youth in the K.K. Nagar, Vadapalani, Ashok Nagar and Kumaran Nagar pockets are keeping their eyes and ears open till late at night. The fear of a suspected psycho killer is haunting residents of these areas who have witnessed at least four chilling and clueless murders in the last one month.

Shortly after Thursday midnight, a large number of youth armed with clubs and iron rods were seen searching frantically in Vadapalani. With presspersons closely following, the visibly charged youths were trying to scale compound walls, trees and buildings. The rumour that hit the area was that the ‘psycho killer’ had come for his next victim.

At about 1.30 a.m., the youths cornered a youth who was found hiding in one of the buildings. Timely intervention by the police prevented a possible attack on him. While police whisked away the suspect to the police station, a mob came on to the Vadapalani main road demanding stringent action against the “psycho killer”. Some tried to barge into the police station and try their hand on the suspect.

When the situation was getting a little out of control, police used mild force to disperse the mob.

Enquiries revealed that the suspected psycho was an accused, Shekar alias Chandrashekar, who was evading arrest and a non-bailable arrest warrant was pending against him. Deputy Commissioner of Police (T.Nagar), M.S.Muthusamy, said that seeing police, Shekar tried to escape and jumped from one building to another. On seeing this, the local youths got a suspicion that he could be the murderer.

“We want people not to believe any rumours. The police are looking into all angles and the investigation is progressing well. Many special teams have been put on the job of apprehending the culprit,” Commissioner of Police, R. Sekar, said.

An uneasy calm prevailed in K.K. Nagar where a watchman was found murdered on Thursday. On the advice of the police, two security guards were on night duty at many residential apartments. “In the event of any untoward incident, public can call the police control room (100). We have patrolling vehicles positioned strategically and police can reach any scene of trouble within minutes..,” Mr. Sekar added.