Chennai: One held for setting fire to Tasmac shop

The lone salesperson at the counter, Palani Vel, suffered burn injuries in the accident, police said adding that the fire was doused immediately minimising the damage.

Ruling out the vandalism act as part of any anti-liquor agitation, city police said the orchestrated fire attack to be an outcome of a civil dispute between landowners and the person who has taken the area on lease.

“We have strong reasons to believe that civil dispute is the reason behind the attack. The injured salesman has told our personnel that the suspects are from a slum nearby and have been visiting the shop for the past three days,” a senior police officer said.

Around 4.30 pm, three men on a motorcycle reached the Tasmac outlet no. 521 on South Boag road. They were carrying an empty paint can with petrol in it, police investigations revealed.

“Two other staff had gone out when Palani alone was in the counter. The suspects had asked for a bottle of liquor and when Palani went to fetch it, they threw the can inside and set fire,” K.P. Ramu of the Tasmac Employee’s Association said.

The trio fled the scene immediately while locals helped Palani Vel escape. Fire and rescue personnel rushed to the scene and put off the fire within 30 minutes.

Palani vel was moved to a private hospital on G.N.Chetty Road with burn injuries on his legs, chest and shoulder.

Subsequent investigations by the cops revealed that the landowner, Krishnamoorthy had leased the land to Elangovan, who used to run the bar. “Krishnamoorthy had asked them to vacate the premises after which Elangovan sought a stay and a case is pending in the Madras HC,” said a senior police officer.