Tuticorin: A 45-year-old VCK functionary was hacked to death by a five-member gang near a petrol bunk in Tuticorin district on Sunday morning, triggering tension in the area and a road blockade by his relatives demanding immediate arrests.
Siva Prasad, rushed to the spot and launched an investigation.
Later, DIG Tirunelveli range Thirunavukkarasu told reporters that four special teams had been formed to apprehend the accused. The argument escalated into a clash between two groups. News of the murder spread rapidly across the area, leading to tension among residents. Senior police officers, including Tuticorin SP R. Police sent the body for postmortem examination and a case was registered by Thalamuthunagar police based on a complaint from the wife of the deceased. Meanwhile, relatives of the victim held a road blockade demanding immediate arrest of those responsible. It was withdrawn after SP Shiva Prasad promised swift action. Subsequently, five suspects identified as Sivachandran, Sivakumar, Gokulnath, Manikandan and Ponpandi were arrested. The accused are being questioned, and further investigation is under way.
A dispute broke out on Saturday night after banners were erected on the roadside near Balamurugan’s house for a puberty ceremony being organised in his relative’s family, according to police.