Nepali Gorkha mistaken for elusive psychoptath killer

Chennai, Jul 21 (UNI) Even as fear continued to stalk the people of Vadapalani and Ashok Nagar areas following reports of a ''Psycho killer'' on the prowl, locals, claiming to be night patrollers, mistook a Nepali Gorkha for the elusive killer and thrashed him, in the early hours today.

Police said when the Gorkha came out of a house, the locals, numbering about 20, armed with wooden logs and iron rods chased him.

The Gorkha ran for safety. But was finally caught by the locals.

They thrashed him before police officials rushed to the spot and rescued him.

On interrogation, he said he had come from Nepal three months back in search of a job and was staying at his relatives house.

It may be recalled that about eight people, including three watchmen were killed during the last two weeks in Vadapalani and Ashok Nagar areas by a ''psycho killer'', who was yet to be identified.

Police too appeared clueless about the identity of the killer and were persuingvarious leads to identify him.

As fear gripped people and watchmen also refused to report for work, locals took up night patrolling.

Meanwhile, police had also formed various teams, armed with shooting orders, to catch the killer. Police personnel have been deployed in plain clothes in these areas to nab the ''psycho killer.'' UNI GV VV ARB KN1553