TN Assembly clash: group fight, not drugs, killed Coimbatore student, says minister

Tamil Nadu Law Minister R Nirmalkumar told the Assembly on Monday that the killing of engineering student Amuthan in Coimbatore resulted from a group clash, not drug-related retaliation as alleged by the Opposition. The minister said the incident began on August 9 when fourth-year students attacked Amuthan and his friends. After further attacks, Amuthan was fatally assaulted on August 11, with 15 people arrested in one case and two in another. The SC/ST Act was invoked as Amuthan was a Scheduled Caste member.

The DMK, led by Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin, staged a walkout claiming the government failed to respond properly. Udhayanidhi alleged police shared the student's complaint about drug peddlers with criminals, leading to his death. He also cited other recent violent incidents in Tamil Nadu. The Hindu reports the minister denied any drug link, calling it a vendetta attack. Hindustan Times notes the session saw heated exchanges over drug abuse, with ruling party members contrasting their actions with the previous DMK regime's handling of the Jaffer Sadiq case.

The government offered Rs 6 lakh compensation and a government job to Amuthan's brother. A charge sheet will be filed within three months, the minister said, promising punishment for all involved.