Chennai

ChiefMinister C Joseph Vijay on Tuesday felicitated Kovilpalayam police head constable M Velmurugan for his bravery in foiling a gutka smuggling attempt. Velmurugan had clung to the roof of an SUV for nearly 40 km in an attempt to prevent the gutka smugglers from escaping, while a police team chased the vehicle and eventually arrested 3 persons, a press release said. The CM invited Velmurugan to the Secretariat here and lauded him for his courage, quick thinking and dedication to duty.

The head constable, attached to the Kovilpalayam police station in Coimbatore, was on duty when a police team stopped a Karnataka-registered SUV near the Kaniyur toll gate following information that gutka was being smuggled. The 3 men inside the vehicle allegedly pushed the police personnel aside and sped away on the highway. Without losing time, Velmurugan jumped onto the SUV’s roof and held on to the roof rails. The SUV driver reportedly accelerated to more than 100 km per hour and continued for about 40 km, with the head constable clinging to the roof. The pursuing police team eventually intercepted the vehicle near Avinashi in Tiruppur district and arrested the 3 men, all from Rajasthan, the release said. Police seized more than 170 kg of banned gutka and the vehicle. After felicitating Velmurugan, the CM advised him to exercise caution while on duty. Director General of Police Mahesh Kumar Agarwal was present on the occasion.