Nine murders in 24 hours after Diwali shock Tamil Nadu

Nine murders reported across several districts of Tamil Nadu in the 24 hours after Diwali celebrations concluded yesterday (November 8) have caused widespread shock in the state.

In Tiruchirappalli, three people including children were killed. Two people died in Sivaganga. In Theni, Special Sub-Inspector Senthil Kumar was murdered when he intervened to stop a quarrel; police said three people connected to that incident have been arrested.

One murder each was also reported in Chennai, Cuddalore, Tiruvallur, Dindigul and Kallakurichi districts, each for different reasons.

Opposition leader Udhayanidhi Stalin condemned the incidents. That nine people, including a police officer, were killed even on a festival day raises questions about the state of law and order, he said in his statement. Police have intensified their investigations into the series of incidents.

Criminologists note that festival periods often see a spike in violent crime, linked to alcohol consumption, financial disputes and long-pending personal enmities coming to a head during family gatherings. Senior police officials said patrols had been stepped up in the affected districts and that the circumstances of each killing were being examined separately.