Pallavadi Panchayat President N.Kanagasabai (46), owing allegiance to the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, was murdered by unidentified persons at Narienthal in Rishivandhiyam block near here on Monday.
Police sources said that political rivalry that spilled over from the recent by-election to panchayat ward number 9 was said to be the motive behind the killing. In a keenly contested by-poll, Kanagasabai's candidate emerged victorious, defeating the Communist candidate.
After the victory, the winning candidate's supporters allegedly ransacked the office and the houses of the opponents, resulting in enmity between the groups. To avenge the attacks, a gang of four to five persons targeted Kanagasabai. When Kanagasabai was riding a motorcycle, the assailants followed him in a car and rammed his vehicle from behind. When Kanagasabai fell on the road, they hacked him to death and fled the scene.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police E.Ma. Masanamuthu and Superintendent of Police P. Pakalavan, along with a strong posse of police personnel, reached the spot.
