A head constable was injured after a three-member gang of sand smugglers stabbed him in the neck with a sharp-edged weapon during a vehicle check at Iruvelpattu near Ulundurpet on the Salem-Chennai national highway early on Monday.
Senthil Kumar, 35, head constable attached to the Thiruvennainallur police station, was injured on the neck and has been admitted to the Government Medical College and Hospital at Mundiyambakkam.
A case has been registered. The police have arrested one person and launched a manhunt for two others who are reported to be absconding.
According to police, Mr. Kumar was conducting vehicle checks near a petrol bunk at Iruvelpattu when he intercepted three persons who were carrying a battery and riding triples on a motorcycle. Mr. Kumar asked the three to come to the Tiruvennainallur police station after they gave contradictory answers.
Accused flee
One of the accused pulled out a sharp weapon and stabbed Mr. Kumar on the neck. The three later fled the scene. On information, the police rushed to the spot and admitted Mr. Kumar to the Government Medical College and Hospital at Mundiyambakkam. After investigations, the police gave the names of the three accused as Ramachandiran, Jayaprakash and Balamurugan who were part of a gang of sand smugglers of Perangiyur in Villupuram district.