Details that have emerged in the media and from the police about the murderers of a police officer in Kanyakumari district are shocking. It is said that the suspects Towfiq and Shameem have terror links. There are also claims that they are connected to ISIS and are planning to carry out attacks in Tamilnadu.
Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Thursday assured strong action in the State Assembly to bring to book those who shot to death the Special Sub-Inspector, when he was on duty at a checkpoint bordering Kerala. As many as four teams have been set up to probe SSI Wilson’s killing and the Director General of Police J K Tripathi has rushed to the spot.
Two men shot at the SSI using a pistol and stabbed him when he was on duty at the Kaliyakavilai checkpoint in Kanyakumari district on the border with Kerala by 9.30 pm on Wednesday. Wilson sustained injuries and fell down.
He was rushed to the Kuzhithurai Government Hospital, which declared him brought dead. Two live and two empty bullets were recovered from the scene. Meanwhile, the Kerala police announced a reward for those who provide information about the two suspects. “Two suspects who shot dead an SSI at Kaliyikkavila in Tamilnadu have escaped after committing the crime. Anyone with any information regarding them can call the following numbers– 0471 2722500, 9497900999,” it said in a release.
Identifying the suspects as Nagercoil residents, it added: “Both of them are around 25-30 years of age. They are around 5.5 feet tall and weigh proportionally.” In the Tamilnadu assembly, Palaniswami said, “The special teams are studying the CCTV footage from that area’s shops and houses. The case is under investigation. The government will take stern action to arrest the offenders soon and get them stringent punishment.”
Wilson is survived by wife and two daughters. Condoling the death of the SSI, Palaniswami said government job will be provided to one of the family members of the deceased Sub-Inspector on compassionate grounds besides solatium. Tamilnadu, which is hailed as heaven of peace, should not become safe haven for terrorists. Tough action is the need of the hour.