Chennai: In an instance of shocking apathy, a sub-inspector of Tamil Nadu police, brutally attacked by a gang in Tirunelveli District, bled to death as his cry for help went in vain even after two ministers with their convoy stopped by and saw his plight.

44-year old Vetrivel, who was a member of the Special Task Force that gunned down forest brigand Veerappan in 2004, lay in a pool of blood with his leg severed and begged for help after the attack by the gang at Alwarkuruchi shortly before the ministerial convoy was to pass by on Thursday evening, eyewitnesses said.

Health Minister M R K Panneerselvam and Youth and Sports Development Mohideen Khan, along with officials, including the District Collector, halted their convoy on seeing the profusely bleeding police official battling for life on the road. Eyewitnesses said Vetrivel was screaming for help but did not get assistance in time from the ministers and accompanying officials.

Though later taken to a hospital, Vetrivel, who got a double promotion for being part of STF that gunned down forest brigand Veerappan, succumbed to injuries. However, state Health Secretary V K Subburaj, who was part of the convoy, denied any insensitivity on the part of the ministers and officials and said Panneerselvam had got down from his car and went near Vetrivel.

Subburaj said the Collector, who was with them, immediately arranged for an ambulance but since it would take about 20 minutes for the ambulance to reach the spot, Vetrivel was taken to hospital in a police vehicle. Subburaj said they had done the best they could have and police had done a "wonderful job" (in rushing him to hospital) Vetrivel was an unfortunate victim of a mistaken identity as the gang was waiting to attack another sub-inspector in a case of personal enmity but ended up targeting him.

Vetrivel's legs were severed when the gang hurled "pipe bombs" and attacked him with sickle when he was returning home after attending court work. A strike force police team that was following the ministerial convoy managed to nab two of the assailants after opening fire in the air. A report from Tirunelveli on Friday said three more persons were arrested in connection with the murder. Police said a seven-member gang was involved in the attack and two of them were still absconding.