In a suspected rift among loadmen of Koodal Nagar Goods Shed, a loadman, R. Balamurugan (45), was hacked to death by an armed gang near Kochadai on Thursday morning.
Police suspect that the deceased was a catalyst in change of guard in the HMS Loading and Unloading Workers Welfare Association that unseated Senthil Kumar in 2016.
An armed gang laid waiting for the deceased near Nataraj Nagar, intercepted him and indiscriminately attacked him with lethal weapons. Balamurugan was killed on the spot around 6.30 a.m.
The city police had picked up few suspects and are on the lookout for few more, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) P VE Arunshakthikumar said.
The police suspect that Balamurugan could have been followed right from the morning when he returned home after buying vegetables for a grocery shop run by his wife Suseela.
Senthil Kumar, who was the former president of the welfare association, was accused of large-scale misappropriation of money and Balamurugan who was his close friend fell apart from him.
He also supported one Raju in being elected as president of the association in an election held in October 2016. Hence, Senthil Kumar is suspected to have taken revenge on him.
Mr. Arunshakthikumar said that some outsiders and relatives of Senthil Kumar were likely to be behind the brutal murder.
“Some workers said that Balamurugan had discussed with them about a fear of somebody following him for few days. They had planned to lodge a police complaint today,” he added.
The body was handed over to the family after post-mortem was done at Government Rajaji Hospital. Karimedu police are investigating.
