Cop dies after banging into gate at counting centre

Madurai: A 56-year-old SSI (special sub-inspector) deployed on security duty at the vote counting centre in Madurai died in a tragic accident after his two-wheeler he was riding reportedly lost control and crashed into the entry gate late on Wednesday. The incident occurred at the Thiagarajar College of Engineering, which is the counting centre for the Madurai North and Madurai South assembly constituencies.According to police sources, P Balamurugan, attached to the Thilagar Thidal police station, was part of the intensified security deployment arranged ahead of the counting process, and was on rotational security duty at the college campus. While arriving on his two-wheeler around midnight, Balamurugan crashed into the gate of the college. Due to the impact, he fell off the vehicle, resulting in severe head injuries. He died on the spot.Acting on information, a police team rushed to the location, recovered the body and sent it to Govt Rajaji Hospital for an autopsy. A case was registered by traffic investigation wing two, and further investigation is underway.