Theni (Tamil Nadu): A Special Sub-Inspector of Police was allegedly beaten to death by a group of youths during Diwali celebrations in Samadharmapuram in Tamil Nadu's Theni district, police said. Four persons have been arrested in connection with the incident.

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The deceased officer, identified as Senthil Kumar, sustained critical injuries after an altercation with the group late on Sunday night. He was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries before reaching the medical facility.

According to preliminary information, a group of youths had allegedly blocked a public road, burst firecrackers and recorded social media reels when an argument broke out between them and the officer. The youths, who were allegedly intoxicated, then assaulted him.

Police have launched an investigation to establish the sequence of events and identify others who may have been involved. Theni Superintendent of Police Praveen Gautham visited the spot and reviewed the situation with senior officers.

Investigators have collected CCTV footage from the surrounding area to reconstruct the incident and determine the roles of those involved. Additional police personnel were deployed in Samadharmapuram to prevent further disturbances.

The killing comes less than two weeks after a major security breach at Thekkampatti jail in Theni district, where 17 undertrial prisoners escaped on October 26 after allegedly attacking prison personnel.

All 17 prisoners were subsequently brought back into custody. Nine prison personnel were suspended, and the Tamil Nadu government constituted a high-level committee headed by retired Director General of Police J. K. Tripathy to examine the security lapses and recommend corrective measures.

The two incidents have brought policing and security arrangements in Theni district under renewed scrutiny.