Coimbatore range DIG shoots himself to death

Chennai: In a shocking incident senior IPS officer and Coimbatore Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police C.Vijayakumar shot himself to death using his service weapon at his camp office in Coimbatore on Friday morning.

Initial reports said trouble on the family front is said to be the reason behind his extreme step.

The 2009 batch IPS officer assumed charge as DIG in January this year.

The DIG took the extreme step after he returned from his morning walk, went to his camp office, got the pistol of his security guard and shot himself to death, police said.

Reports said he has been under medication for quite some time for depression.

Earlier, he had served as Deputy Commissioner, Annanagar, Chennai earlier.

He had also served as Superintendent of Police in Kancheepuram, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam and Tiruvarur districts and SP CB-CID.

This is the second such incident in recent years of a senior official committing suicide in Tamil Nadu.

It may be noted that Tiruchengode Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Vishnupriya allegedly ended her life in Namakkal district in 2015.

After post mortem his body was taken to his native Theni district where Tamil Nadu Director General of Police and Head of Police Force Shankar Jiwal paid his last respects and consoled his family members.

Senior police officials and a large number of people also paid their last respects.

Tamil Nadu Governor, Chief Minister M.K.Stalin, leaders of various political parties condoled the death of Mr Vijayakumar.

In a tweet, the Governor said "It is painful for me to learn of the loss of a young and brilliant police officer, C. Vijayakumar."

"My deepest condolences to his bereaved family. Om Shanti!", he said.

Mr Stalin, in his message, said he was shocked and saddened about the death of Mr Vijayakumar.

"I am deeply shocked and saddened to hear the sad news of the untimely death of Coimbatore DIG C Vijayakumar today. He has served the Tamil Nadu Police well in various responsibilities, including District Superintendent of Police (DSP) during his tenure."

"His death is a huge loss to the Tamil Nadu Police Department. My deepest condolences to his family and friends of Vijayakumar", he added.

Leaders of various political parties, including AIADMK General Secretary and Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K.Palaniswami, ousted leader O.Panneerselvam and BJP State Chief K.Annamalai, also a former IPS officer, condoled the death of VIjayakumar.

Talking to reporters, Mr Annamalai demanded a Madras High Court monitored probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the suicide of Mr Vijayakumar.

Offering his condolences, he said the reason for the DIG taking the extreme step, whether it is due to occupational pressure or professional pressure, should be probed.

All the cases investigated by him and his mobile phone records should be analysed to ascertain the reason for the suicide.

He also urged the State Government to provide a Group-A job for one of his family members. (UNI)