Teen mistaken for thief killed, 7 held

The deceased, identified as Sadasivam (19), son of Samikannu of Thenthandalam village near Cheyyar, was travelling through Sumangali village on a two-wheeler with two of his friends riding pillion. 

The trio were mistaken as thieves by Sumangali villagers and were asked to stop. Sadasivam, however, tried to escape and accelerated quickly, which angered villagers who pelted stones at them. 

One of the stones hit Sadasivam who lost control of the vehicle and the trio fell on the road. 

Thereafter, they were beaten up by the villagers which resulted in Sadasivam’s death. On learning about the incident, the deceased’s relatives staged a road blockage at Cheyyar town nearby demanding action against the culprits. 

Police then swung into action and arrested seven people in connection with the death, who were identified as Suresh (36), Elumalai (35), Veeramani (36), Vinod (30), Neelavannan (34) Sukumar (24) and Latchadipathi (24). They were remanded to custody while a search is on for some more culprits.