LFormer Chief Minister and opposition leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami has strongly condemned a brutal attack on a delivery worker in Velachery, Chennai, calling the incident shocking and demanding strict legal action against the assailants.
The delivery worker, identified as Parthiban, was allegedly set upon by two youths in the residential area of Velachery while he was on duty delivering grocery items. According to reports, the attackers assaulted him with a sharp weapon, injuring him severely. The incident, videos of which circulated on social media, has sparked public outrage and concern over rising violence against gig economy workers in the city.
In his statement, Palaniswami said the news of the assault was “heart-breaking,” adding that such violent acts have become increasingly common. He noted that the attackers were reportedly under the influence of ganja (marijuana) at the time of the crime, underscoring what he described as a growing culture of lawlessness and substance abuse.
“How many more such brutal scenes must the people of Tamil Nadu witness?” Palaniswami asked, directing his criticism at the ruling DMK government in the state. He alleged that under the current administration, law and order had deteriorated and that public safety was at risk.
Palaniswami urged the state government and police authorities to take immediate and stringent action against the attackers. He emphasised the need for strong legal consequences to serve as a deterrent to similar acts of violence in the future.
The Velachery police have registered a case and are investigating the incident. Three suspects have reportedly been identified and taken into custody in connection with the attack, which appears to have stemmed from a previous personal dispute rather than a random assault. Parthiban was rushed to a nearby hospital after neighbours intervened following the attack and raised the alarm.
The incident highlights the vulnerability of delivery workers and other gig economy personnel who often work late hours and in isolated areas. With demand for home delivery services continuing to grow, workers’ safety remains a pressing concern for both law enforcement agencies and industry stakeholders.