Chennai, September 6, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The killing of a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) functionary in Chennai has sparked a fresh political confrontation over law and order in Tamil Nadu, with opposition parties stepping up their criticism of the C. Joseph Vijay-led government ahead of a debate in the State Assembly on the functioning of the police department.
Kannan, a TVK functionary, was allegedly chased by an armed gang and hacked to death with machetes in Besant Nagar on Saturday night. Police have arrested at least five people in connection with the murder and are investigating the sequence of events as well as the possible involvement of additional suspects.
Investigators are examining CCTV footage from the area, including visuals believed to have captured the attack. The footage later circulated on social media, drawing widespread attention.
Police said Kannan had several criminal cases against him and was classified as a history-sheeter. Preliminary findings suggest that longstanding personal hostility may have led to the attack, with investigators exploring the possibility of a revenge killing. The backgrounds of those arrested and their alleged links with Kannan are also being examined.
The murder has assumed political significance, with Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin accusing the TVK government of failing to maintain law and order. He alleged that people with criminal backgrounds were finding refuge in the ruling party and questioned the government’s claims of improving policing and public safety.
Udhayanidhi also pointed out that the killing took place in the state capital shortly before Chief Minister Vijay was scheduled to respond to the debate on the Police Demand for Grants in the Assembly.
PMK President Anbumani Ramadoss also criticised the government, linking the murder to recent crimes in and around Chennai. Referring to three ATM robberies reported in the city’s suburbs over the past fortnight, he alleged that violent crime and robberies were creating a sense of insecurity among residents.
Anbumani called for greater police accountability, stronger surveillance and improved intelligence gathering to prevent serious crimes.
Police are continuing their probe to determine whether more people were involved in planning or executing the attack.
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