10 killed in separate incidents on Diwali

Chennai: About 10 people, including an SSI of police, were killed in separate violent incidents across Tamil Nadu on Deepavali, drawing sharp criticism of the state government from opposition leaders, who alleged a collapse of law and order.

Police said most of the incidents, including the killings of the SSI and the IT employee, were triggered by intoxication, rowdy behaviour and sudden rage, with minor disputes over firecrackers being burst on public streets or pointed towards houses escalating into fatal clashes.

In cases involving history-sheeters, such as the Tiruchirappalli double murder and the Cuddalore gang feud, the attackers used the noise of firecrackers, reduced public vigilance and festive distractions at night to settle old rivalries, they said.

Accusing the ruling TVK of “complete negligence”, Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin of the DMK said the rapid deterioration of law and order reflected a complete failure of administrative control. When police officers themselves fall victim to street violence on public roads, the government’s credibility among citizens is shattered, he said. AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami said that murders on a single day, coinciding with Deepavali, reflected how far law and order had deteriorated in Tamil Nadu, with bloodshed across the state.

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