History-sheeter dragged out of police vehicle, hacked to death

A history-sheeter was today dragged out of a police vehicle at a road junction and hacked to death by a 13-member gang when he was being taken to a court in Tuticorin.
A Sub Inspector of Armed Reserve Police and two constables were injured in the incident after the gang sprinkled water mixed with chilli powder on their eyes, police said.
The incident took place at the Tirunelveli-Tuticorin road junction near K T C Nagar in Palayamkottai town, they said.
Balasubramanian alias Singravelan, a history-sheeter, was being taken to a court in Tuticorin in connection with a recent bomb hurling incident at Morapanadu village when the gang waylaid the police vehicle, which slowed down at the junction.

They smashed the windscreen with sickles and clubs and splashed chilli water mixture on the police personnel.
As the policemen were rubbing their eyes due to the burning sensation, the gang pulled Singravelan out and hacked him.

They later escaped in a car and two bikes, police said, adding five special teams have been formed to nab them.
No sooner did the gang flee the spot that bystanders rush the criminal to a hospital, where he succumbed to injuries.
Police suspect rivalry to be the reason behind the attack.
Police said they are analysing CCTV footage at a hotel near the junction to get possible clues.