Erode: Rowdy lynched by public

Erode: A rowdy who attacked a man with a knife over a petty street tap feud near here on Thursday, was mercilessly beaten to death by members of the public. Sithiraj alias Selvam,38, hailing from R N Nagar in Sithode near Bhavani was arrested in connection with a murder case and released from prison two years ago. Various cases are pending against him. On Thursday morning, he came to a drinking water tap near his home and washed his hands after pushing away pots from the tap. Local residents protested this and following a quarrel, he attacked a local resident with a knife. 

People immediately surrounded him and the mob, including women, beat him severely with stones and a wooden log. Sithiraj's mother, Indirani was also injured when she tried to protect her son. He was pulled out and sent to the Erode government hospital, but was declared brought dead. Further investigations are on.