As a sequel to the murder of an Army Major at Mukkombu (Upper Anicut) on Thursday, the Tiruchi Rural Police conducted a 'combing operation' at this tourist spot on Saturday in a bid to obtain clues from the scene of crime and instil confidence among tourists.
About 100 policemen and officers headed by the Superintendent of Police, Tiruchi Rural, A. Kaliyamurthy carried out intense checks at Mukkombu, a few kilometres from here, as part of the ‘combing operation’ that lasted over five hours.
Teams of police personnel fanned out to various places at the tourist spot checking vehicles entering and leaving Mukkombu besides enquiring visitors, Public Works Department employees and vendors. The visitors were advised by the law enforcers to keep away from isolated areas.
Major R. Ramesh (34), a doctor in the Indian Army, was killed by an unidentified person while pinning down the criminal who attempted to snatch gold jewellery from the Army officer’s wife at knife-point in the Mukkombu park area on Thursday evening.
Major Ramesh had come to Tiruchi from Visakapatnam on January 25 as part of a medical team to screen candidates selected during the Army recruitment drive held at Tirunelveli last month and was scheduled to return after February 10.
Four special teams, each headed by an Inspector, formed to apprehend the unidentified accused had obtained some clues and enquiries were on with them, SP Kaliyamurthy told The Hindu here on Saturday. He said the police could not obtain any further clues from the scene of crime during the ‘combing operation’.
Mr. Kaliyamurthy said a temporary outpost would function at Mukkombu from Sunday onwards. The outpost would be manned by a Sub Inspector and four policemen would keep vigil round-the-clock in turns. The SP said those having any information regarding the crime and about the accused could convey it to him in his mobile number 98420 – 89999 even without disclosing their identity.
