By IANS,
Chennai: The Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID) team Monday started its probe into the killing of a 13-year-old boy by an unidentified person inside the army quarters here a day ago.
K. Dilshan was plucking almonds from a tree inside the army quarters Sunday when some unidentified person – alleged to be an armed guard – fatally shot him in the head.
The boy’s body was handed over to his parents Sunday night after post-mortem, which said that death was due to bullet wounds.
Citing the post-mortem report, police said Dilshan might have been shot dead within 15-20 feet radius with a powerful weapon.
The last rites for Dilshan were performed here Monday morning. Police were deployed in large numbers enroute to the burial ground to prevent any untoward incidents.
Meanwhile, the army Monday promised full cooperation in tracing the killer. However, it reiterated its stand that none of its guards in the residential quarters were armed at the time of the incident.
“The army expressed deep regrets over the unfortunate incident in which Dilshan was fired at. There is no armed guard in the compound at any time,” the army said in a statement issued here.
According to the statement, the army is cooperating closely with the police to bring the individual responsible to justice.
The army said that security duty at the residential quarters was outsourced and it is investigating the shooting incident.
The state police is ascertaining the possible angle of the bullet that was fired at the boy’s head.
Dilshan’s wailing mother Kalaivani demanded death sentence to her son’s killer.
The boy’s killing was condemned by various political leaders.
In a statement, MDMK General Secretary Vaiko, condemning the killing, alleged that there were attempts by the army to cover up the crime by washing away the blood.
He said such acts would not have been done without the clearance of the army’s higher officials.
Vaiko charged that the army was covering up the issue by stating that there was no armed soldier when the boy was shot dead.
The founder of PMK party S. Ramadoss demanded immediate arrest of the culprit under severe sections of Indian Penal Code (IPC) so that he gets the maximum punishment.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa had ordered a probe by CB-CID late Sunday night and also demanded that the army hand over the culprit to the police.
She also announced a solatium of Rs.500,000 to Dilshan’s family.