Chennai: Three special teams have been formed by the police to arrest the culprits in connection with the murder of a PMK cadre in Thirubhuvanam, near Kumbakonam.
According to the police, Ramalingam (42), son of former town secretary of the PMK, Vadivel, was hacked to death by an unidentified gang of four persons, who came in a car and intercepted him when he was returning to his house Tuesday night.
Police suspect that the murder could have happened as a sequel to heated arguments Ramalingam had with members of the Muslim community on issues like conversion and Hindu-Muslim relationship on Adi Dravida Street in the town Tuesday morning.
In a video clip that went viral on social media, Ramalingam is seen involved in a heated argument with Muslims, alleging that they indulged in religious conversions, and was pleading with them not to do so.
He also takes a cap from a Muslim and wears it and is seen applying ‘vibhuthi’ on the forehead of the Muslim from whom he took the cap. He also argued that Hindus allow Muslims to live in their residential areas, whereas Muslims do not reciprocate it.
DIG – Thanjavur range, Loganathan, Superintendent of police (Thanjavur district), Maheswaran, SP of Ariyalur district and DSPs visited Thirubhuvanam, and are currently camping there.
Security has been beefed up with a 200-strong police team being deployed, sources said.
Ramalingam’s relatives and supporters staged a demonstration, demanding the arrest of the culprits when his body was brought back to the town.
Cremation was performed in the evening and shops in the town remained closed, reports stated.