Tiruvallur: In a shocking incident that underscores extreme juvenile violence and the perils of social media provocation, a 34-year-old migrant worker
from Maharashtra was brutally assaulted with sickles by four minors near the Thiruthani railway station in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvallur district. The attack, reportedly triggered after the victim objected to the minors filming a video with a sickle held to his neck, was recorded by the perpetrators themselves. The subsequent viral spread of the video has ignited widespread condemnation.
The victim, identified as Suraj from Kolhapur, Maharashtra, was discovered by railway passengers on Sunday outside the Thiruthani station boundary wall. He was found lying in a critical condition with severe stab wounds on his hands, legs, head, and body.
Tiruvallur migrant worker attack: Timeline of the assault and rescue
According to the Thiruthani police investigation, Suraj was traveling on an electric train from Chennai when four individuals boarded at Thiruvalangadu station. An altercation ensued after they allegedly filmed a ‘reel’ with a sickle pointed at Suraj’s neck. When he protested, the group launched a vicious attack with the weapon.
Passengers who found the bleeding man immediately alerted authorities. Police responded swiftly, providing first aid before transporting him to Thiruthani Government Hospital. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was later referred to Tiruvallur Government Hospital, where he remains under intensive care in the emergency ward.
Investigation and arrests
Leveraging footage from railway station surveillance cameras and the viral mobile video, police identified and apprehended four minors within hours. The arrested have been named as: Nandagopal (17) from Harichandrapuram, Thiruvalangadu, Santosh (17) from Arakkonam, Vicky (17) from Arakkonam and Santosh (17) from Nemili, Thiruthani.
All four are currently in custody and undergoing interrogation. A case has been registered, and investigations are ongoing to determine the full context and potential motivations behind the attack.
