Chennai: Venkatesh, a sub-inspector of the Greater Chennai Police’s Anti-Narcotics Intelligence Unit (ANIU), who went to apprehend a history sheeter was attacked with a sickle by his aides during the operation at Athipattu near Minjur on Saturday night. The officer sustained head injuries. The accused and his accomplices escaped from the spot, and police have launched a search operation.Venkatesh, who, along with another ANIU officer, tracked the movements of history-sheeter Boopalan using mobile phone location data. Boopalan, who is wanted in a case registered by the Villivakkam police, was believed to be hiding in a rented house at Athipattu.Acting on the information, the officers reached the house to apprehend him. Police said that as they moved in to arrest the suspect, a group of men hiding inside the premises attacked Venkatesh with a sickle, inflicting injuries to his head. Boopalan and the others fled before the teams could reach the location.The injured SI was rushed to a private hospital in Minjur, where he was treated. Police said his condition is stable.Red Hills deputy commissioner Maheswari and other senior officers visited the scene and reviewed the investigation. Police inspected the house, collected CCTV footage from the surrounding area and deployed multiple special teams to trace the accused.Based on Venkatesh’s complaint, the Minjur police registered a case under sections relating to attempt to murder, assault on a public servant while discharging official duty and causing grievous hurt with a dangerous weapon .Further investigation is on.
