Teen shot dead for trespassing Army area in Chennai

A 13-year-old boy was shot at allegedly by army personnel when he trespassed into their area at the Island Grounds locality on Sunday, triggering protests from locals. Police said Dilshan was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of a government hospital, where he died.

The family of the boy alleged he had been shot in the head when he went to the area, housing army residential quarters, to pick some fruit. Irate residents staged a protest demanding action against those responsible for the incident.

City Additional Commissioner (Law and Order) P Thamaraikannan said that a case has been registered and investigations are on into the incident.  Army sources said the military police and the local police are investigating into the incident, but declined to elaborate.

Police have cordoned off a stretch of the area, adjacent to Fort St George, which houses the state secretariat. Thamaraikannan assured that action would be taken against those involved in "causing injuries to the boy".

Asked whether army personnel had indeed opened fire on the boy, he said it was being investigated. He said government has offered medical assistance to the injured.