Kanyakumari, August 23
Police have launched a search for a gang that allegedly assaulted a Tamil Nadu revenue official and threatened to kill him during an operation that led to the seizure of 17 tonnes of ration rice near the Kerala border.
The incident began when a flying squad, headed by Tahsildar Bharathi, was conducting vehicle checks at Kaliyakkavilai in Kanyakumari district. Officials reportedly signalled a mini-lorry to stop, but the driver ignored them and sped towards Kerala.
Suspecting that the vehicle was being used to smuggle ration rice, the officials pursued it across the State border. The lorry eventually entered a rice warehouse at Inchivila in Kerala.
When the flying squad reached the warehouse and attempted to inspect the premises, a group allegedly confronted the officials. Revenue Inspector Dinesh was attacked and threatened with death, following which the assailants fled the spot.
Police personnel from Tamil Nadu and Kerala subsequently conducted a joint raid on the warehouse and recovered nearly 17 tonnes of ration rice stored there. The entire consignment was seized for further investigation.
Authorities are investigating the source of the rice and the circumstances under which it was transported to the warehouse. They are also trying to establish whether the subsidised grain, meant for distribution through the public distribution system, had been illegally diverted for commercial sale.
The ownership of the warehouse, the intended destination of the seized rice and the involvement of other individuals are also being examined.
Special teams have begun searching for those accused of assaulting Dinesh and obstructing the officials from carrying out their duties. Police said further action would follow after the suspects were identified and apprehended.
The seizure has again highlighted the illegal transportation of ration rice through border areas. Flying squads routinely inspect vehicles in and around Kaliyakkavilai to curb the diversion of subsidised foodgrain from Tamil Nadu to neighbouring Kerala.
