Chennai:
Jayalalithaa today blamed the Army in Chennai for the death of a teen who was killed when he trespassed into the cantonment area in the city on Sunday.
"It is quite clear that someone from within the army enclave shot at the boy and killed him," the Chief Minister said after landing in Delhi today. She said her government has asked the Army that "the person responsible for this unpardonable act should be handed over to our police to be dealt with according to the law."
Army Chief General V K Singh today promised strong action against anybody found guilty but said the entire force should not be defamed if any individual is suspected.
"Whoever has committed any mistake in the incident - be it an officer or a jawan - strong action will be taken against him," Singh told reporters while talking about the incident.
Nobody has been arrested since 13-year-old Dilshan was shot on Sunday when he entered the cantonment area to pluck some fruit with his friends.
The case is being investigated by the Crime Branch of the Chennai Police. In the last few hours, several Army officers have been questioned. Sources say a Lieutenant Colonel has emerged as the main suspect after it was established that he lied about where he was when Dilshan was killed. He reportedly said he was not at the cantonment but his cellphone records proved otherwise.