11 murders in Tamil Nadu on Diwali day; DMK severely criticises CM Vijay

CHENNAI: Raising concerns over law and order conditions, 11 murders were reported in Tamil Nadu during the Diwali celebrations. On November 8, these incidents were reported across the districts of Tiruchirappalli, Theni, Cuddalore, Sivaganga, Thiruvallur, Chennai, Dindigul, and Kallakurichi. In Tiruchirappalli, three individuals—including two 17-year-olds—were killed. Two people were killed in Sivaganga, while one person died in each of the other districts. Reports indicate that these incidents stemmed from long-standing personal vendettas, disputes during alcohol consumption, and conflicts related to the bursting of firecrackers.

This series of murders also triggered a political controversy in the state. Alleging a breakdown in law and order, opposition leader Udhayanidhi Stalin criticised the government led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.

Udhayanidhi remarked that on the day of Diwali, the sound of machetes was heard more prominently than that of firecrackers. He further alleged that the state has reached a point where neither ordinary citizens nor the police—who are tasked with their protection—are safe.