Cuddalore, Nov 9:
A history-sheeter accused of murder was shot in the leg and apprehended by the police after he attacked an officer during a search operation in the Reddichavadi forest area of Cuddalore district on Monday.
Police said the accused, identified as Arularasu, had fatally stabbed a fellow rowdy, Prithviraj, with a broken beer bottle in an inebriated brawl before fleeing into a nearby cashew grove. While one accomplice was secured, a police team led by Inspector Ilavarasi tracked Arularasu into the thickets.
When cornered, Arularasu attacked Sub-Inspector Mugilan in a bid to escape. In self-defense, Inspector Ilavarasi opened fire, shooting the criminal in the ankle to immobilise him. Both the injured rowdy and Sub-Inspector Mugilan were admitted to the Cuddalore Government Hospital for treatment.