Ex-functionary of PMK objects to conversion bid, killed by gang

Tension gripped entire Tirubhuvanam and its surrounding areas following the murder of V Ramalingam resident of Thoondil Vinayagampettai at Tirubhuvanam. Heavy police pickets were posted in sensitive pockets to prevent escalation of the situation.

Initial inquiries revealed that Ramalingam (48), who was involved in the business of renting out utensils and shamiana tents for marriages, on Tuesday morning went to Packiyanathan Thoppu, a Dalit colony, to pick up some workers for a function. On the way, Ramalingam noticed a group of persons belonging to a minority community attempting to convert Dalits to their religion and confronted them. After a heated argument, both Ramalingam and the group dispersed from the spot.

Later in the night on Tuesday, when Ramalingam and his son Shyam Sundar (17) were returning home from Chettimandapam after work via Muslim Street in Tirubhuvanam, a four-member gang that came in a car intercepted them and attacked Ramalingam with sharp weapons and fled the spot.

Ramalingam was rushed to Kumbakonam GH and later shifted to Thanjavur Medical college hospital, where he was declared ‘brought dead.’

Acting on a complaint from Shyam, Tiruvidaimarudur police registered a case and launched a hunt for the group. Four unidentified men were booked as accused in the case. Shyam in his complaint identified one of the assailants as Tasudeen. Soon after the murder, a video clip went viral on social media showing Ramalingam strongly arguing with the group at Packiyanathan Thoppu.

Karuppu Muruganandam, general secretary of the state unit of the BJP, visited Thirubuvanam and consoled Ramalingam’s family members. In a subsequent development, Hindu outfits staged road blockades in some parts of Thirubuvanam demanding immediate arrest ofthe murderers. 

Members of various parties, including PMK, DMK, BJP and the relatives of the deceased staged protest demanding immediate arrest of the accused. After inquiries police said that a small group, all members of a politico-religious outifit, regularly visited theDalit pocket and were conducting campaigns.