DMK secy killed on TN CM's turf

CHENNAI: Tension gripped Tamil Nadu chief minister and DMK president M Karunanidhi's home district of Tiruvarur on Saturday following the murder of his party's district secretary Poondi Kalaiselvan.

Police said five persons, who had come to Kalaiselvan's house on the pretext of handing over an invitation to him, threw country bombs at him as soon as he opened the doors. He was rushed to a government hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Two security guards posted at his residence were also injured.

Police have arrested four persons and seized the vehicle used by them on the basis of information provided by Kalaiselvan's family members and eyewitnesses. Police suspect political enmity as the cause of the attack.

As the news of Kalaiselvan's death spread, his supporters went on a rampage, torching two buses at Koradacherry village near Tiruvarur town.

All shops and business establishments pulled down their shutters in the area, following tension.

Karunanidhi in his condolence message said his party had lost one of its "very active workers". Karunanidhi was born at Tirukkuvalai village near Tiruvarur and he often visits his house and his mother's memorial there.

In a separate incident, two AIADMK leaders including Chengalpattu municipality vice-chairman, were hacked to death in full public view by a group of unidentified persons at Timmavaram in the morning.

Police said an enmity towards Kumar could have been a reason behind the attack.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com