TNI Bureau: Four teenage boys were taken into custody after a migrant worker from Odisha was brutally assaulted near Tiruttani railway station in Tiruvallur district. The attack, which was filmed by the accused and later circulated on social media, sparked widespread outrage and political reactions.

The victim, Suraj (24), suffered injuries to his head, face and left arm after being attacked with machetes. He was rushed to the Tiruvallur Government Hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment.

Police said the four accused, all aged 17, were identified and detained within hours. They were produced before the Juvenile Justice Board. Three were sent to the Chengalpattu Juvenile Reformation School, while one student was released on bail after the court considered his academic status. Investigators said the assault was unprovoked and that the accused were under the influence of ganja at the time. No prior enmity was reported.

The incident triggered sharp political reactions. Congress MP Karti Chidambaram called for a statewide police crackdown, while AIADMK leader Kovai Sathyan blamed rising drug abuse and demanded strict action. The ruling DMK termed the incident an isolated crime and pointed to swift police action.

Police have launched further investigation, including scrutiny of the social media accounts used to share the video, amid renewed concerns over juvenile crime, drug abuse and the safety of migrant workers in Tamil Nadu.