Mysterious death of fisherman sparks outrage in Ramnad

Angered by the death of fisherman M Kumar (43), the villagers resorted to road block affecting vehicular traffic at locations opposite Ramanathapuram Government Hospital and new bus stand on Wednesday, demanding immediate arrest of the accused under Goondas Act.

The agitated protesters also sought adequate compensation to the kin of the victim and demanded government job for the victim’s family member. As the protest continued for nearly two hours, Ramanathapuram Sub Collector NO Sukaputra pacified the crowd ensuring that the accused would soon be arrested.

Sources said Kumar, the victim, was active in Erwadi fishermen cooperative society, and on Monday night, he approached the Fisheries Department of Ramanathapuram South in a bike, which was also found near water body at Yenthal. Moreover, the victim was said to be a police informer.

According to DSP Velladurai, the fisherman, who was reported missing on Monday, was charred to death under mysterious circumstances and the incident came to light on Tuesday.

Erwadi police on Monday filed ‘man missing’ case after his relatives could hardly trace him. The family members of the victim suspected that the reason for the death could be a motive behind elections, in which he contested, to Erwadi village panchayat and fishermen cooperative society. Based on a complaint lodged by Valantharavai Village Administrative Officer, Kenikarai police registerd a case.

Ramanathapuram Collector K. Veera Raghava Rao, when contacted said, the victim’s relatives demanded the arrest of the accused and also sought DNA test on the body, which was charred and mutilated beyond recognition.