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Police Encounter Leads to Arrest of Rape Suspects

In Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, police apprehended three fugitives accused of raping a college student after a shootout on Monday. The suspects attempted to attack the police team, prompting officers to fire back, injuring the trio in their legs. Authorities identified the arrested individuals as Thavasi, Karuppasamy, and Kalaiswaran, all residents of Shivagangai district who were employed at a construction firm in Coimbatore.

Details of the Incident

On Monday, special police units were on the hunt for the suspects. When the police cornered them near a temple, the suspects launched an attack with sickles. This assault resulted in injuries to Head Constable Chandrashekar's left hand and wrist. In self-defense, the police fired, injuring all three suspects in the legs. They were subsequently arrested and taken to Coimbatore District Government Hospital for treatment, along with the injured officer.

The Crime Unfolds

The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday night. According to police sources, the victim, a college student, was out with her boyfriend, with whom she had been in a relationship for five years. After dining out, they drove to a secluded area where the attack took place. Around 11 PM, three unidentified individuals arrived on a stolen motorcycle, smashed the windshield of their parked car with stones, and forcibly pulled the boyfriend out.

Assault and Abduction

The attackers threatened the couple with a knife, and when the boyfriend resisted, they beat him with sticks and stones, inflicting severe head injuries that required 28 stitches for six deep wounds. He briefly lost consciousness. Meanwhile, the assailants dragged the student out of the car and took her to a shed resembling a motor room about a kilometer from the airport, where she was allegedly gang-raped. They released her around 4:30 AM, threatening her not to tell anyone.

Aftermath and Public Outcry

The boyfriend regained consciousness around 11:25 PM, drove the damaged car towards the airport road, and sought help from passersby. Bystanders alerted the police, who quickly transported him to the hospital, where he is currently admitted. Following the incident, the victim managed to reach a nearby residential area and contacted the police via phone. She has been admitted to a private hospital. The incident has sparked widespread outrage across Tamil Nadu.

Political Reactions

The case has ignited political tensions in the state. AIADMK General Secretary E. Palaniswami criticized the ruling DMK government, claiming that women's safety is severely compromised under their administration. He noted that Tamil Nadu was once the safest state for women during AIADMK's governance.

Union Minister L. Murugan remarked that heinous crimes against women in Tamil Nadu have not diminished, citing this incident as a prime example. BJP state president Nainar Nagendran announced plans for statewide protests against the incident. Meanwhile, Coimbatore South MLA and BJP Mahila Morcha president Vanathi Srinivasan labeled the event another dark mark on the DMK government's record.

Ongoing Investigation

BJP leader K. Annamalai also expressed strong criticism, stating that the DMK government has instilled fearlessness among criminals regarding law enforcement. Currently, police have filed serious charges against the three suspects, including rape, abduction, and attempted murder. The investigation is ongoing, and police officials indicate that further revelations may emerge following interrogations of the suspects.

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