Azhaguraja, a notorious criminal, was shot dead in a police encounter in Tamil Nadu’s Perambalur. The incident occurred near Thirumanthurai village when he allegedly attacked the police while trying to escape. Azhaguraja, a repeat offender with over 30 criminal cases, including murder and extortion, died on the spot from a bullet wound to the head.
Police sources revealed that Azhaguraja, known to be extremely dangerous, had managed to evade capture for years by frequently changing hideouts. He was apprehended by a special police team in Ooty along with six other suspects. Following their arrest, the group was taken to a forest area near Thirumanthurai to recover hidden weapons and explosives.
During the recovery operation, Azhaguraja reportedly attacked the officers with a sickle in an attempt to flee. Despite warnings, he continued the assault, leading the police to open fire in self-defence. One officer sustained injuries but is reported to be in stable condition.
The arrest of Azhaguraja was linked to an incident involving another criminal, Kalimuthu, who was attacked while being transported to prison. Authorities believe Azhaguraja was involved in planning the attack. His capture followed intensive surveillance in the Tirunelveli region based on intelligence inputs.
Tamil Nadu has a history of encounter killings involving armed offenders accused of violent crimes. These encounters, deemed acts of self-defence by the police, have sparked debates on law enforcement practices and human rights. With Azhaguraja’s death, the police claim to have disrupted a significant criminal network, but investigations into his associates and past activities continue.
