The deceased was identified as Palaniswamy (28) from Koveri Kadu in Valappadi taluk in Salem district in Tamil Nadu. The identity of the injured is yet to be ascertained.
Background
The sandalwood tree was inside the compound of the house of Jayaramaiah, who also owns Coordinated Tool Plant on a five-acre land opposite to Meenakshi temple.
According to police, the gang entered the compound around midnight and disconnected the power supply to Jayaramaiah's house.
They felled the sandalwood tree and started chopping off the branches to smuggle them. On hearing the sound around 1.30 am, Jayaramaiah woke up.
As there was no power, he switched on the generator to find out what was happening. When he found smugglers in his compound, he tried to scare them away with his single-barrel gun.
When they threatened him, he fired three rounds through the window-once in the air and twice on the gang. One of the bullets pierced through Jagadish's neck.
After the firing, all the three took to their heels. But, Palaniswamy, who was grievously injured could not climb the wall and collapsed, while the other two fled. There were blood stains outside the compound indicating another gang member was also injured in the incident.
Special teams
"The police have alerted all nursing homes and hospitals to look out for the injured. The police have constituted teams which are searching for the injured in Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri and Vellore districts," DCP (South East) B N S Reddy told Deccan Herald.
"The weapon used by Jayaramaiah is licensed. The incident has sent a strong message to robbers and dacoits. Those having such weapons and are trained in using them need not hesitate to use them when dacoits attack them targeting their lives and properties," Reddy stated.