Ramanathapuram
In a suspected gang rivalry, a masked gang brutally murdered two persons by slashing their throats and attacked another person at Valantharavai near here on Sunday night.
Police said the victims were sleeping in the open in front of the house of one Selvam after the reception for ear-piercing ceremony when the gang members, armed with deadly weapons, cut their throats.
Police identified the deceased as M. Boominathan alias Mani (38) and R. Vijay (20). Both found dead on the spot. They were in deep sleep and didn’t try to resist, police said. R. Saleem alias Vijayan (19), who woke up and resisted, suffered cut injuries in his hand and neck, police said.
He was admitted to the government district headquarters hospital here and later referred to Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (Ramanathapuram range) N. Kamini who visited the village soon after the double murder said long-time gang rivalry appeared to be the reason for the murders. Police are trying to find out the immediate provocation for the murder, she said.
She said six special teams, including five teams, headed by Deputy Superintendents of Police, had been formed to nab the miscreants. The teams had fanned out to neighbouring districts looking for the gang members. At least five members were involved in the crime; she said adding they ran out and escaped after committing the crime.
Preliminary investigation revealed that they were the associates of Dharma of Valantharavai and the victims, supporters of Boss alias Baskaran with whom Dharma had a running feud. The two gangs had clashed in January at Ammankoil, on the other side of the railway track near Valantharavai, police said.
After the January clash, police had arrested Baskaran, Dharma and his associate ‘Nai’ Sekar. After Superintendent of Police Omprakash Meena recommended preventive detention of the trio, Baskaran and Sekar were detained under the Goondas Act but Dharma managed to obtain anticipatory bail and escaped.
Only a few days ago Dharma who was facing about 30 cases, including murder, arms and drug trafficking cases, had joined the AIADMK.
Dharma’s brother Karthik, the prime accused in the January clash, had been absconding since then.
The double murder comes two days after Dharma’s wedding on Friday. As Mr. Omprakash Meena was on leave, Sivaganga SP T. Jayachandran, in-charge of the district, is heading the investigation. He visited Valantharavai with DIG on Monday and persuaded the family members to accept the bodies.
The SP and DIG assured them that all those involved in the crime would be arrested. “All the accused in the case will be arrested and stern action taken against them”, the DIG said. The special teams have detained some suspects and interrogating, she said. The injured Vijayan who lodged a complaint named some accused, she said.
