TN policeman shot dead in Rajasthan

An investigation into a gold heist in Chennai claimed the life of a Tamil Nadu Police Inspector who was shot dead on Wednesday by a suspected burglar in Rajasthan who then escaped.

Police sources said S. Periyapandian, 48, was shot by one of the alleged robbers, Nathuram, after snatching the officer's revolver at Jaitaran in Pali district.

Periyapandian was part of a team of Chennai police set up to solve the robbery in the Tamil Nadu capital last month.

The criminals had escaped with 3.5 kg of gold after drilling a hole in a jewellery shop's ceiling in Kolathur area. The Chennai police team was in Rajasthan for further investigation.

On a tip off, a team of seven police personnel went to Jaitaran and caught Nathuram early on Wednesday. As he was being led away, he snatched Periyapandian's revolver and opened fire, killing the Inspector instantly. Nathuram escaped before the others could even react.

Some other policemen who were injured in the firing were rushed to a hospital.

Additional Superintendent of Police Jyotiswaroop Sharma of Rajasthan Police told IANS that the Chennai police acted unilaterally in the operation.

But he said the Rajasthan Police were extending all cooperation to their colleagues from Tamil Nadu. The Inspector's body had been sent for autopsy to Jodhpur after which it would be flown to Chennai, he added.

Expressing grief over Periyapandian's death, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami announced a solatium of Rs 1 crore to his family. He also announced Rs 100,000 assistance to the injured policemen.

--IANS

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