A 23-year old tractor driver who allegedly mowed down a constable with his vehicle when he tried to stop "illegal" transportation of sand was today arrested, police said.
D Suresh, who fled the spot after the incident near Thakkolam in the district yesterday and absconding, was arrested and booked on murder charges, they said.
"We have slapped murder charges against him (Suresh)," Deputy Superintendent of Police Kannappan told PTI, adding they were on the look out for four other co-accused.
43-year old constable Kanagaraj of Thakkolam station was crushed to death while a sub-inspector managed to escape unhurt when Suresh defied their order to stop the tractor.
Suresh, besides being engaged in farming and owning a brick kiln was also allegedly involved in illegal sand mining, the DSP said.
Acting on a tip-off that sand was being illegally transported, the constable and sub-inspector P Rajan intercepted the tractor and asked its driver to halt.
Suresh who was at the wheels tried to drive away the tractor and in the process hit Kanagaraj and he came under the wheels resulting in his instant death, police said.
Police have seized the vehicle and further investigation was on.
