Date:07/12/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/12/07/stories/2005120717960400.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Village tense after murder of quarry worker

Staff Reporter

Puthiya Thamizhagam leader named as accused in police report

TAMBARAM: Police pickets have been posted in Tirusulam, following the murder of a quarry worker, Madasamy, who was hacked to death by a group of men near the entrance of the Tirusula Nathar temple on Monday.

The murder was the sequel to a feud, which began earlier in the day when Thangapandian, who had obtained rights to work a stone quarry performed a pooja to commence work, six months after he won the rights.

A rival faction objected to the pooja, claiming Thangapandian did not have the rights to work the quarry. A quarrel ensued between the two factions, which degenerated into a free for all. Madasamy was killed in the clash.

Tension prevailed with Madasamy's relatives and supporters of Thangapandian alleging that S. Krishnasamy, founder of the Puthiya Thamizhagam, was behind the murder. They threatened to stage a protest on the Grand Southern Trunk Road late on Monday night, but were prevented by the police.

On Tuesday, they refused to take Madasamy's body from the Chromepet Government Hospital after the post-mortem insisting that Dr. Krishnasamy and his associates be arrested. Only after assurances from senior police officials that action would be taken against the offenders, they relent.

Pallavaram police have registered a First Information Report in which Dr. Krishnasamy has been named as an accused, police said.