VIRUDHUNAGAR
Six persons, including two Hindu Munnani cadre, have been arrested in connection with the murder of CPI functionary K. Kanagaraj (45) at Veeracholan in the district on Friday.
The arrested were Sivabalan, Muneeswara Prabhu (both Hindu Munnani cadre), Lakshmanan, Nagarajan, Prabhakar and Sampath Kumar. They were remanded in judicial custody.
On Friday night, Kanagaraj received a call on his mobile phone, during which the caller said an overhead water tank was overflowing. Kanagaraj, who had been involved in motor pump operation in Veeracholan panchayat, rushed to the overhead tank, when an armed gang hacked him to death.
CPI district secretary and former Srivilliputtur MLA T. Ramasamy said Kanagaraj was an active member of the party. He had been vociferously raising his voice against sand smuggling in the region, he added.
Besides, Kanagaraj opposed Vinayaka procession in Veeracholan claiming that no such procession had been taken out in the village in the past.
He also joined Jamath members when the Aruppukottai Revenue Divisional Officer organised a peace meeting before the Vinayaka procession.
Mr. Ramasamy said the sand mafia and members of the Hindu Munnani conspired to kill him.
The police said Kanagaraj prevented some of his relatives from joining the Vinayaka procession that triggered an enmity with the members of Hindu outfits.
