SRIVILLIPUTTUR
A police constable, S. Mathiraj, was injured when a tractor hit him after its driver jumped off the vehicle while attempting to smuggle sand illegally quarried from a stream in Tiruvannamalai near here in the wee hours of Sunday.
The police said Mr. Mathiraj, attached to Vanniyampatti police station, and P. Esakkiraj from Mamsapuram police station were part of a special team that conducted a surprise check at Tiruvannamalai.
When the police personnel went there around 2 a.m., they found S. Murugan (28) driving the tractor with a load of sand. When Mr. Mathiraj intercepted it, Murugan jumped off the running tractor. The tractor that run amok hit Mr. Mathiraj, before dashing against an electric pole.
Murugan also sustained a fracture in his leg when he fell on the ground.
Srivilliputtur Town police have registered a case of attempt to murder and theft against C. Selvakumar (35), owner of the tractor, and Murugan.
They have also been booked under the provisions of the Mines and Minerals Act and Tamil Nadu Public Property (Prevention of Damage and Loss) Act.
