உதயநிதி ஸ்டாலின் criticises TN government over Kalaiyarkoil double murder and police action

Opposition leader உதயநிதி ஸ்டாலின் has publicly criticised the Tamil Nadu government over law and order following the Kalaiyarkoil double murder in Sivaganga district and the police response to subsequent protests. The remarks, made on 19 September 2026, follow a 16 September 2026 killing near Kodikadu tank and a lathi-charge reported on 18 September 2026.

Kalaiyarkoil double murder and 'mistaken identity' claim

The incident involved Deivendran from Kayaodai Puthu Kudiyiruppu and Poppandi from Siruvelangudi, who were killed near Kodikadu tank in Sivaganga on 16 September 2026. Police registered a case and arrested five persons. Reports of the investigation indicated the hired gang claimed an 'mistaken identity' killing, which fuelled public anger.

Relatives and residents staged road blockades in Sivaganga and near the Kalaiyarkoil police station demanding arrest of the masterminds, ₹50 lakh compensation per family and government jobs for the victims' families. Negotiations were held by SP Abhishek Gupta and others, but protesters rejected the assurances.

Udhayanidhi Stalin's criticism of law and order

On 19 September 2026 உதயநிதி ஸ்டாலின் said law and order in Tamil Nadu has deteriorated and questioned the police handling of the case. In his statement he referred to the administration as being led by a 'Dummy' Chief Minister, a political label used in his criticism, and said law and order has been 'flying in the wind' since the government took office.

He also cited a double murder in Keelekarai, Ramanathapuram on 15 September 2026 as part of a wider pattern, and asked why the police were delaying arrest of those who hired the gang.

Police lathi-charge and arrests

Protests at Kalaiyarkoil police station escalated into a clash. According to reporting updated on 18 Sep 2026, 7:27 pm, police used lathi-charge on protesters and arrested 72 people [1]. உதயநிதி ஸ்டாலின் condemned the action, stating police were suppressing protesters instead of pursuing the actual culprits and demanded immediate arrest of those linked to the double murders and relief for the affected families [2].