VELLORE: A PMK functionary was shot dead and another suffered grievous injuries after a history-sheeter allegedly opened fire with a country-made gun in a village near Gudiyatham in TN’s Vellore district on Monday night.The deceased was identified as M Gnanavel, 43, a farmer and PMK functionary from Senguntram village near Gudiyatham. Police arrested the accused S Poovarasan, 28, from the same village within hours. But on Tuesday, Poovarasan assaulted two policemen and attempted to escape when he was taken to a place where he had hidden the firearm. But police personnel shot him on the leg and nabbed him.Poovarasan faces 13 cases registered at various police stations, including murder, attempt to murder, highway robbery, ganja sale and intimidation using a country-made gun. He had also been detained several times under the Goondas Act.PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss said Gnanavel was shot because he pulled up Poovarasan for alleged poaching of animals. Police, however, said the attack was due to a previous enmity over a petty quarrel a week ago. Gnanavel allegedly insulted Poovarasan’s friend and hence he wanted to avenge, police said.Police said Gnanavel, who was away from the village, returned home for Diwali. Poovarasan called up Gnanavel to ascertain his whereabouts. When Gnanavel said he was near Senguntram bus stop, Poovarasan went there with his country-made gun and allegedly fired at Gnanavel as well as his friend Ragu, of Adukamparai village, repeatedly. Police said Gnanavel suffered 10 gunshot wounds — six on the face, one on the neck and three on the chest. Ragu suffered a gunshot injury to the right hand.Villagers rushed the two men to Gudiyatham Government Hospital, where doctors declared Gnanavel dead on arrival. Tension gripped Gudiyatham after news of the killing spread and more than 200 PMK cadres gathered in front of the hospital.Gnanavel was nabbed by police shortly afterwards. Superintendent of police N U Sivaraman said Gnanavel was taken to an isolated spot where he confessed to have hidden gun powder and pellets. There, Poovarasan pulled out a knife hidden in a bag and attacked two policemen. Assistant sub-inspector Raja suffered injuries on the left upper arm and constable Imthiyas was injured on the forehead. When Poovarasan tried to flee, an inspector shot him in the right leg to apprehend him, Sivaraman said.
