A 28-year-old rowdy, accused in 12 cases including three murders, was shot in the leg and arrested at Perambur after he opened fire at police early on Monday.
Police said they got a tip-off on Sunday night that A-category history-sheeter Arivalagan of Thirumullaivoyal would be visiting the Pananthopu area of Perambur to meet an associate. A special team led by sub-inspector Premkumar went to the area and cornered him. On seeing them, Arivalagan opened fire at Premkumar, using an illegal firearm, police said. The sub-inspector, who had a narrow escape, retaliated and shot the offender below his right knee, police said.
Arivalagan fell to the ground and was taken to Govt Stanley Medical College and Hospital by the police team.
After formally arresting him and executing the non-bailable warrants against him, police admitted him to the prisoner’s ward in the hospital.
Arivalagan had been evading arrest for the past six years in connection with the murders of DMK worker ‘Idi Murasu’ Ilango and his relatives Palani and Divakar, police said. A trial court had issued non-bailable warrants against him, which have been pending for a few years now.
Police said Arivalagan was involved in cases at Tiruttani, Sholavaram, Minjur, and Otteri police stations. Recent investigations revealed that Arivalagan had travelled to Bihar, where he purchased the illegal firearm for 35,000. He and his associates Thoppai Ganesh and Sethu were planning to eliminate their rival gang members ‘Soozhchi’ Suresh and Murugesan, police said.
Police confiscated the gun, 6kg of ganja and a knife from Arivalagan. The Otteri police registered a case.
A history-sheeter involved in 12 cases, including three murders, was on Monday shot at and arrested in Perambur. Arivalagan, 28, involved in the murders of DMK worker ‘Idi Murasu’ Ilango, and his relatives Palani and Divakar, was injured in the leg in the police firing.