A 17-year-old boy from a dominant caste community was allegedly shot and injured by police in Tamil Nadu’s Tirunelveli district early Tuesday morning, following a violent caste altercation in the village of Pappakudi. The teenager, wielding a machete, had allegedly attacked a Dalit youth and later turned on the police officers who arrived to intervene.The incident, which occurred around 1.30 am, allegedly unfolded with an attempted machete assault on Sakthi, a 22-year-old Dalit youth from Rastha near Pappakudi. According to a senior police officer who visited the village on Tuesday morning, the attacker and his associate—both minors from the Thevar community, categorised as Most Backward Class (MBC)—were already facing criminal cases. The motive for the assault is believed to be rooted in simmering caste tensions between local groups.As the incident escalated, the Pappakudi police, led by Sub-Inspector Murugan, responded to an emergency call and reached the scene. However, rather than fleeing, the teenagers reportedly turned their machetes toward the officers.In a chilling turn of events, the armed teens allegedly chased the officers through the village and injured one. According to police, one officer, Sub-Inspector Murugan, sought shelter in a nearby house. As the residents locked the door behind him, the attackers allegedly struck the door repeatedly with their weapons.“Fearing for his life, the officer opened fire to disperse the assailants,” the officer told The Indian Express. “Two rounds were fired. One bullet struck the attacker’s hand, but did not penetrate deeply.”The injured teen and the Dalit victim were rushed to Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital. The police officer who sustained injuries is undergoing treatment. All three remain hospitalised.According to police inquiry, there was a tense atmosphere in Pappakudi prior to the incident, with a minor scuffle earlier that night between members of two caste groups. While most dispersed upon seeing the police, the two teens, belonging to the politically influential community —armed and apparently seeking revenge—allegedly stayed back and escalated the situation.Story continues below this adThe officer said the swift decision to open fire was made to prevent further violence. “The boy chased the police with a sickle. We tried to manage the situation, but when the officers were also attacked, they were forced to act in self-defense,” he said.Police have launched a manhunt for the second teen who fled the scene. A case has been registered against both minors for attempted murder and assault on public servants.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:dalitTamil Nadu