The 53-year-old was attacked by two men with knives. (Representative)
Chennai:
A village administrative officer (VAO) was killed by a two-member gang in southern Tamil Nadu on Tuesday after she lodged a complaint against one of them for sand smuggling and the main accused was arrested.
Describing the killing as horrific, Chief Minister MK Stalin announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore to the officer’s family and a government job to a person from the VAO’s family. The Chief Minister said the government admired the VAO’s sense of duty and commitment to work and was pained and saddened by his killing. Police investigation is on for further action, he said.
Lourdes Francis, 53, of Morappanadu Kovilpathu, VAO in Srivaikundam taluk of Thoothukudi district, was attacked with a knife by two men while he was working in his office on Tuesday, an official release said. The VAO suffered serious injuries on his head and hands and was taken to the Tirunelveli Government Medical College Hospital. However, he succumbed to his injuries.
One of the two men who attacked the VAO, named Ramasubbu, was immediately arrested. As per preliminary investigation, Ramasubbu was furious as a case of sand smuggling was registered against him following a complaint by the VAO to the police. He, along with another person, attacked the officer, seriously injuring him and resulting in his death. Further investigation is being done by the police.
Stalin expressed his condolences to the bereaved. The compensation will be given from the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)