Chennai: The 80 feet road where the accident took place resembled a riot scene soon after news of the boy’s death broke out. That policemen were behind the death further infuriated the mob that gathered at the spot and thrashed the two cops.Traffic was blocked on one side of the stretch for more than two hours after residents of Vijayaraghavapuram, off 80 feet road, took to the streets, condemning the cops. “News channels call it an accident. Is this an accident? This is murder and the two cops should be put behind bars,” said agitated women residents of Vijayaraghavapuram to a TV crew. “They have killed a young boy.
For what? One hundred rupees as a bribe amount,” exclaimed Kumar, a local who runs an eatery on the same road. Almost all police officers of T. Nagar police district, including deputy commissioner, P. Saravanan, assistant commissioners, inspectors and at least 10 battalions of striking force and armed reserve constables were at the spot to control the situation.
“What started as an accident escalated into a huge law and order situation. This could have been avoided had the cops been a little more conscious about their antics,” observed a police officer there.
After an ordeal that lasted close to two hours, police personnel pacified the public. However, soon, another group of people from Mettukuppam, where the boys hail from, descended on the spot, creating further tension.
Most shops and commercial establishments on the stretch remained shut for the day following the incident. Later in the day, family members and relatives of the deceased gheraoed the K.K. Nagar police station, demanding action against the cops.
