Mentally ill man kills 2 in temple, injures two others

According to police, the accused was identified as Nallasamy, a construction worker from Athappampalayam near Anthiyur in Erode.

The 42-year-old labourer barged into a temple at 3 am on Sunday and attacked three persons - Kandasamy (50), a bedspread seller, Vadivel (50), the security guard of the temple and Periasamy (51), a betel leaf seller.

While Kandasamy and Periasamy hailed from different villages in Erode, they made a visit to Anthiyur to sell their wares.

The duo decided to rest in the temple premises for the night along with Vadivel.

At 3 am, the accused entered the temple and attacked the three men with a wooden log. Periasamy managed to escape with a severe head injury.

However, the other two men died on the spot. Police further said that Nallasamy then left the spot and at 5 am he waylaid one Kumar (50). He demanded Rs 200 from him. When Kumar refused to give the money, Nallasamy stabbed him with a knife.

The villagers, who witnessed the incident admitted Kumar to Erode Government Hospital. They also caught hold of Nallasamy and handed him over to the police. Nallasamy confessed the crime.

The bodies of the deceased were sent for a post-mortem examination to Anthiyur Government Hospital.

Inquiries revealed that the accused did not have any previous enmity with the dead men. 

Nallasamy also said that he was upset over his wife leaving him. The Anthiyur police suspected that he might be mentally unstable. 

Following the murder, the villagers staged a stir in front of Anthiyur GH demanding death penalty for the accused person.