Tension prevailed in Srivaikuntam following the murder of a ruling party functionary V. Pitchaiya (55) at Kongarayakurichi on Tuesday.
A five-member gang that came on two motorbikes hacked him to death at Murthy Nagar in Kongarayakurichi at 7.30 a.m. According to police, Mr. Pitchaiya was a money lender. The gang followed him and attacked him with deadly weapons. He was found lying dead with his neck severed. The body was sent to Tirunelveli Government Hospital for post mortem.
Investigators suspected the murder was in retaliation for murder of S. Sam Deva Sagayam (81) of Kongarayakurichi, a retired teacher, who was against illegal sand mining, on July 15 last year. The gang met Mr. Pitchaiya on the pretext of borrowing money from him.
Violence was reported on Church Street, Manal Matha Street, Pudhu Manai Street, East and West Street following the murder. Over fifty houses, four shops and vehicles, including seven cars and ten motorbikes and an autorickshaw, were damaged in stone pelting by an irate mob.
The rioters also damaged a statue of K. Kamaraj, former Chief Minister, at Kongarayakurichi. Selva Jothi, former president of Kongarayakurichi panchayat was assaulted and he has been admitted to Tirunelveli Government Hospital.
Some houses were ransacked. As a precautionary measure, buses were diverted. Police sources said two special teams were formed to nab the murder accused.
Based on a complaint lodged by Veerapandi (27), son of deceased, Srivaikuntam police have filed a case under Sections 147, 145, 302 and 506 (ii) of IPC. Deputy Inspector General of Police, Tirunelveli Range, Sumit Saran and Superintendent of Police, M. Durai have been camping at Kongarayakurichi. A strong posse of police force has been deployed in the village.
Shops and vehicles damaged in violence, houses ransacked
