KUMBAKONAM: A college student suffered bullet injuries when a gun allegedly went off during the death anniversary of his relative near Kumbakonam late on Tuesday night. Police were clueless about the incident.
According to police, R Gangadaran (23) of East Street in Naduvakkarai village near Kumbakonam has been studying in a college in Chennai and had visited his hometown for attending the eighth death anniversary of his relative Manikandan of Manancherry, near Naduvakkarai. The elder brother of Manikandan, Murugan (30), who was imprisoned under the Goondas Act and released only few days ago, also attended the event.
After the event, when those who had come to take part were leaving, it is said that a gun went off and Gangadaran suffered bullet injuries in his hand. He was rushed to the MIOT Hospitals in Chennai. On Wednesday, hospital authorities informed Tiruvidaimarudur police under whose jurisdiction Naduvakkarai falls.
When the Tiruvidaimarudur police reached the spot, it was claimed that the incident took place at Manancherry, a few yards away, which falls under the Kumbakonam Taluk police limit. Kumbakonam Taluk police inspector Murugavel rushed to Chennai to hold further inquiries and record the statement of Gangadaran.
Police are looking at all possible angles, including whether an unlicenced gun in the possession of someone who participated in the death anniversary went off accidentally or if there was a tiff among those who took part in the event that resulted in the firing.
MIOT Hospitals sources said Gangadaran was brought in with an escort, early on Wednesday morning and underwent an emergency surgery in the afternoon. “The bullet had entered his right elbow and traversed about 10 cm and hit the bone. It was removed and handed over to the Kumbakonam inspector,” said a source. Gangadaran was brought all the way to MIOT as it has a reputation for complex bone restoration.
On assessment, doctors found that the injury to the bone caused by the bullet was traumatic and follow-up repair surgery would be required before the arm was rehabilitated. “These surgeries have been slated for the next couple of days. He has recovered well and is under observation at the post-surgery ward. Doctors said he opened his eyes and his vitals are fine,” the source added.