Gang Wars in Tamil Nadu: A Tale of Murder, Revenge, and Encounter Killings

In the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, a recent spate of gang-related violence has brought the spotlight to the region’s law and order situation. The brutal lynching of K. Armstrong, the president of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Tamil Nadu, has sent shockwaves across the state and embarrassed the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government.

Armstrong, a 47-year-old lawyer and politician, was known for his strong advocacy for the Dalit community and the poor. He had a history of criminal cases against him, but was acquitted in court. His murder has sparked widespread outrage, with BSP supporters claiming that the eight arrested individuals are not the ones seen in the CCTV footage.

The killing is believed to be a retaliatory act, linked to the murder of a history-sheeter, Arcot Suresh, in August last year. Suresh was involved in a financial scam that defrauded thousands of investors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Armstrong was trying to help some of the victims retrieve their losses, which led to friction between the two. The police believe that Suresh’s family, with the help of a gang led by Jayapal, who is currently in jail, orchestrated the murder. Another gang, led by Nagendran, also in jail, allegedly helped plan the hacking of Armstrong.

The police have faced criticism from Armstrong’s supporters, who claim that the arrested individuals are not the real culprits. The police, however, maintain that the arrests were made based on mobile phone location tracking, bike registration numbers, and CCTV footage. The controversy has led to the transfer of the Chennai Police Commissioner, Sandeep Rai Rathore, and the appointment of A. Arun as the new Police Commissioner.

The Armstrong murder has highlighted the prevalence of gang wars and killings in public view in busy localities. Police encounters have become a norm, with some individuals surrendering fearing they might be shot dead in a staged encounter. Politically, this has damaged the DMK government’s reputation, as it is perceived that the police are not given a free hand to deal with the law and order situation.

The murder of Armstrong, a Dalit leader, has also upset the DMK’s allies, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), who have demanded that the real culprits be arrested. The BSP chief, Mayawati, has called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the murder. The incident has brought to the forefront the issue of gang violence and the need for effective law enforcement in Tamil Nadu.

Armstrong’s background is worth noting. He was a councillor in 2006 and became the state BSP president in 2007. He contested the Kolathur Assembly seat in 2011, losing to the DMK’s MK Stalin. He was known for his advocacy work and was an Ambedkarite and Buddhist. His murder has sent a chilling message to the people of Tamil Nadu, highlighting the need for greater vigilance and effective policing to combat gang violence.

Historical Context:

Tamil Nadu has a long history of gang-related violence, with various gangs operating in the state. The region has seen a rise in gang wars and killings in recent years, with many cases going unsolved. The state’s law and order situation has been a concern for the government and the public alike. The murder of K. Armstrong, a prominent Dalit leader, has brought attention to the issue and sparked widespread outrage.

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government, which has been in power since 2021, has faced criticism for its handling of the law and order situation. The government has been accused of being soft on gangsters and allowing them to operate with impunity. The murder of Armstrong has damaged the government’s reputation and raised questions about its ability to maintain law and order.

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which Armstrong was a part of, has a significant following among the Dalit community in Tamil Nadu. The party has been vocal about the need for greater representation and protection for Dalits, and Armstrong’s murder has sparked widespread outrage among its supporters.

Summary in Bullet Points:

• K. Armstrong, a 47-year-old lawyer and politician, was brutally lynched in Tamil Nadu, sparking widespread outrage and embarrassment for the ruling DMK government. • Armstrong was known for his advocacy work for the Dalit community and the poor, and had a history of criminal cases against him, but was acquitted in court. • The murder is believed to be a retaliatory act linked to the murder of a history-sheeter, Arcot Suresh, in August last year. • The police have arrested eight individuals, but Armstrong’s supporters claim that they are not the real culprits. • The police maintain that the arrests were made based on mobile phone location tracking, bike registration numbers, and CCTV footage. • The murder has highlighted the prevalence of gang wars and killings in public view in busy localities, with police encounters becoming a norm. • Politically, the incident has damaged the DMK government’s reputation, as it is perceived that the police are not given a free hand to deal with the law and order situation. • The murder has also upset the DMK’s allies, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), who have demanded that the real culprits be arrested. • The BSP chief, Mayawati, has called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the murder. • The incident has brought to the forefront the issue of gang violence and the need for effective law enforcement in Tamil Nadu.