Chennai | July 30, 2025 | A 17-year-old boy from Tamil Nadu’s Tirunelveli district was shot and injured by police early Tuesday morning after allegedly attacking a Dalit youth and later turning on law enforcement officers. The incident took place in the village of Pappakudi amid rising caste tensions and has intensified concerns over the region's fragile inter-community relations.

Violent Attack Rooted in Caste Conflict
According to officials, the teenager—belonging to the Thevar community, which is classified as Most Backward Class (MBC)—wielded a machete and attacked Sakthi, a 22-year-old Dalit youth from the nearby village of Rastha. A second teen, also from the same community, is said to have assisted in the assault. Both juveniles reportedly have criminal cases pending against them, and the police believe the attack was part of an ongoing caste-based dispute.

The situation took a dangerous turn when police, led by Sub-Inspector Murugan from the Pappakudi station, responded to an emergency alert around 1:30 am. Upon arrival, instead of fleeing, the armed teens allegedly turned their machetes toward the officers and launched an aggressive chase through the village.

Police Forced to Fire in Self-Defense
In a harrowing scene, the attackers reportedly injured one officer during the pursuit. Sub-Inspector Murugan took shelter in a nearby house, where the residents quickly locked the door behind him. According to eyewitnesses and police accounts, the teenagers then repeatedly struck the door with their weapons, attempting to break in.

Fearing for his life and the safety of others, the officer fired two rounds. One bullet struck one of the teens in the hand, causing a non-fatal injury. The police clarified that the shooting was intended to disperse the attackers and prevent further harm.

"The decision to fire was made only after all attempts to de-escalate failed," a senior police officer told The Indian Express. "The boy chased the officers with a sickle. It was an act of self-defense to protect both the civilians and the officers on duty."

Hospitalizations and Legal Action
The injured teen, the Dalit victim Sakthi, and the wounded officer were all rushed to Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital. All three are currently undergoing treatment, with their conditions reported to be stable.

Preliminary police investigations reveal that tensions in the area had been simmering long before the attack. A minor altercation had taken place earlier that evening between two caste groups. While most individuals dispersed upon seeing the police, the two teenagers remained and, reportedly seeking revenge, intensified the situation with violent intent.

Manhunt for Second Teen Underway
Authorities have launched a manhunt for the second teen, who managed to flee the scene during the confrontation. A criminal case has been registered against both minors under charges of attempted murder and assault on public servants.

The Tirunelveli police emphasized that they are taking all necessary steps to maintain order in the area and prevent any escalation of tensions. Community leaders and law enforcement are also being roped in to engage with local residents and discourage retaliatory violence.

This incident has once again brought to light the ongoing issue of caste-based violence in Tamil Nadu’s southern districts, underscoring the delicate balance between law enforcement, community relations, and social justice.