Chennai:
Holding that Tamil Nadu police are not a 'trigger-happy' force, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa today said the February 23 encounter in which five suspected bank robbers were killed was necessitated only after they opened fire on police personnel, forcing them to retaliate.
Giving a detailed description about events leading to the firing in Velachery area in the city, she said a police team had reached the spot after information that the robbers were holed up in a house and asked them to come out.
"Police told the robbers in Tamil and Hindi to come out of the house, but the latter not only declined to do so, but also opened fire," she said.
Jayalalithaa, intervening during a discussion on home grants, said police had retaliated with a view to protect themselves and public (as it was a residential area) and added that the five were declared brought dead to a hospital.
Two Inspectors were also injured in the incident, she said, adding members of the force were not trigger-happy to open indiscriminate fire.
Among those weapons found in possession of the deceased were pistols, shotgun and a revolver , she said.
Jayalalithaa said these persons were wanted in connection with cases in other states, where they had even allegedly used explosive devices as part of their criminal activities.
She also recalled that a case had been filed in the Madras High Court in connection with the encounter.