Thanjavur: Four-member gang hacks PMK cadre's son to death

Thanjavur: Tension prevailed in Thirubhuvanam near Kumbakonam on Wednesday following the murder of Ramalingam (42), son of Vadivel, former town secretary of the PMK party, on Tuesday night.

According to police, Ramalingam was hacked to death by an unidentified gang of four persons who came in a car and intercepted him when he was returning to his house, on Tuesday night.

Police suspect that the murder could be a sequel to heated arguments Ramalingam had with members of the Muslim community on issues like conversion and Hindu-Muslim relationship at Adi Dravida street on Tuesday morning. Police security has been beefed up with a 200 strong police team.

DIG of police, Thanjavur range, Loganathan, Superintendent of police, Thanjavur district, Maheswaran, SP of Ariyalur district and DSPs visited Thirubhuvanam, and are camping there.

In a video clip that went viral on social media, Ramalingam is seen involved in a heated argument with Muslims, alleging that they indulged in religious conversions, and was pleading with them not to do so. He also takes a cap from a Muslim and wears it. He is also seen applying vibhuthi on the forehead of the Muslim from whom he took the cap. He also argued that Hindus allow Muslims to live in their residential areas, whereas Muslims do not reciprocate the same.

An injured Ramalingam was taken to the government hospital at Kumbakonam on Tuesday night, but later shifted to the Thanjavur Medical college hospital. He died at TMCH.

When his body was taken to Thirubhuvanam on Wednesday afternoon, his relatives and supporters staged a demonstration, demanding the arrest of the culprits. Shops in the town remained closed.

SP, Thanjavur, Maheswaran, told Deccan Chronicle that as the issue was sensitive with the involvement of Muslim youth suspected in the murder, police security has been beefed up. The body was cremated in the evening, and the situation is normal, the SP said.

Three special teams have been formed to nab the culprits. No arrests were made till Wednesday evening.