Youth held for murder of 8-year-old boy

TIRUNELVELI

Thazhaiyoothu police have arrested a youth for allegedly murdering an 8-year-old boy as he reportedly resisted a sexual assault attempt.

When T. Kombaiah of Kurichikulam went missing on Sunday afternoon, his father Thalavai registered a complaint with Thazhaiyoothu police. The police launched a search for the boy. Meanwhile, his body was found amidst thorny bushes near Vannanpacheri with his head crushed with a stone.

During investigation, the police found that the boy was allegedly murdered by one Mayandi, 21, a school dropout, and detained him for interrogation.

Mayandi reportedly confessed to the police that he took the boy to a secluded place on the pretext of showing him a movie on his mobile phone. Then he attempted to sexually assault Kombaiah, but the boy put up resistance. An enraged Mayandi allegedly murdered him.

Mayandi also reportedly confessed that he had raped two old women from a village under Thazhaiyoothu police station limits.