In two separate incidents, two members of the ruling DMK party were hacked to death reportedly over getting a ticket to run for the urban local body polls scheduled to happen this month.
Incident 1
A man identified as Ponnudas (32) alias ‘Abe’ Mani, was attacked by an armed gang on Saturday night (January 29). He was a circle secretary of the DMK.
He had recently taken a TASMAC liquor bar on tender and was handling its operations. His mother had submitted her application with the party to run for the councillor seat.
Ponnudas reportedly had more influence in the party in his area and had become a target of a faction led by Arun Pravin that was working against him. This faction reportedly hired mercenaries to finish him off.
According to the police, Ponnudas who was returning home in a two wheeler was hit by a speeding car. Immediately, the gang in the car alighted and attacked him with weapons killing him on the spot.
Palayamkottai police rushed to the spot and got hold of the body and was sent for post mortem to the Tirunelveli Government Hospital.
The police have arrested 10 members suspected to have committed the murder. Arun Pravin who had absconded surrendered Tirunelveli 4th magistrate court.
Arun Pravin’s father Muthuselvam who had allegedly paid the gang members have also been taken to custody. However, following health complaints by both father and son, the duo has been admitted to the hospital.
Meanwhile, ‘Abe’ Mani’s mother has been given ticket to run for councillor.
Incident 2
On the night of February 1, a DMK functionary from Chennai’s Madipakkam suburb was hacked to death.
Selvam (38) who runs a real estate business is also the DMK circle secretary in ward number 188 of Madipakkam.
His wife had submitted application to contest for ward councillor in the upcoming local body polls.
On Tuesday around 9 PM, Selvam had parked his car in Bazaar Road in Madipakkam are and was talking with a few of his supporters. Police said a group of six men came in a car and bike surrounded Selvam and attacked him with sickles. Selvam who tried to flee the spot was chased and hacked to death. Locals who saw him bleeding alerted the police and his body was later sent to the Chromepet Government Hospital for post-mortem.
The Chennai police have formed three special teams to hunt down killers of Selvam.
Soon after the news about the murder spread, Selvam’s supporters broke liqour bottles and created ruckus. The police have barricaded the entire street where Selvam’s house is located.
(With inputs from The Hindu and Times of India)
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