MADURAI: A 17-year-old Dalit youth was hacked with machetes by a trio, including two juveniles, over an eve-teasing incident in Thoothukudi on Monday morning, leaving him with critical head injuries, his right thumb severed and a few fingers disfigured for which he had to undergo plastic surgery.

The victim, studying in Class XI, was on his way to school at Palayamkottai at around 8.30 a.m. when the group intercepted the bus at Kettiaymmalpuram and pulled him out forcibly. They attacked him with machetes on his head and back after which he fell unconscious on the road.

According to sources, the victim, a resident of Ariyanayagipuram, was said to have teased a class XI girl, the sister of one of the assailants, a caste Hindu. Earlier, the victim was warned by the girl’s brother of dire consequences if he did not stop teasing. Police said the victim and the accused had also clashed earlier at a kabaddi match.

Srivaikuntam Inspector of Police Padmanabha Pillai inspected the scene and held inquiries.

Based on a complaint, Srivaikuntam police filed a case against the assailants under Section 307 of the IPC and SC /ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and arrested all three. While two of the accused are juveniles, the third one was identified as M Lakshmanan alias Periyavan, aged 19. “The victim is recovering and his condition is stable,” Dean of Tirunelveli Government Medical College C Revathy Balan told DT Next.

“The victim, with machete wounds on his head and back, had suffered blood loss and was admitted to the emergency ward in critical condition. He also had his right thumb cut off and a few fingers badly hurt for which he underwent plastic surgery. A dedicated team comprising seven doctors is attending to him,” hospital sources said.