A police sub-inspector shot a man in the legs after he allegedly attacked the police officer during a spat over toddy seized near Alangulam on Tuesday.
The police said Esakki Raja, a sub-inspector attached to the Alangulam Police Station, and his team were conducting surprise checks in the palmyra grove at Marudhampuththur near Alangulam on Tuesday following information about illegal toddy tapping. When the policemen allegedly found P. Manikandan of Marudhampuththur carrying toddy, they seized it.
During inquiry, Manikandan, a toddy tapper, told the police that the brew was for his personal consumption and not for sale. When there was heated argument between the police and Manikandan, his father Perumal Sait, who reached the spot, tried to pacify his son and Mr. Esakki Raja.
When Manikandan reportedly attacked Mr. Esakki Raja with a log, the sub-inspector opened fire at him. Manikandan sustained bullet wounds in both legs. The police took Mr. Esakki Raja and Manikandan to the Tenkasi Government Hospital for treatment.
Superintendent of Police Mayilvaganan visited the injured SI in the hospital. Police personnel have been deployed at Marudhampuththur and the Tenkasi Government Hospital.
