Tamil Nadu - Madurai   

Gang rivalry led to Sellur murder

By S. Vijay Kumar

MADURAI, JAN.11. The murder of a dossier criminal at Sellur here on Monday sent jitters down the spine of residents in the locality.

At least half-a-dozen assailants lobbed country-made explosives and hacked the 35-year-old murder accused, Pandiarajan alias `Karate' Pandiarajan of Karimedu, to death in full public view at around 8.30 p.m. Though the local police reached the scene of crime within minutes, the gang that came in motorcycles made good escape. The deceased suffered more than 25 cut injuries and died almost instantly. The car in which he was having dinner at the time of the assault was damaged, owing to the explosion.

Sequel murders

The killing of Pandiarajan is believed to be a sequel murder. The police strongly suspect that simmering rivalry with another gang led to the Monday night murder. Both the gangs had a history of revenge killings dating back to 1998. The murder cases against Pandiarajan and his rivals were being pursued in a fast track court here.

Anticipating troubles, since the cases reached the trial stage, the Karimedu police posted a permanent beat at Ilanthoppu (near Karimedu market) where both the groups lived.

"The Commissioner of Police had in fact sent a circular last week to step up vigil on some persons associated with the cases. Though the leaders of Pandiarajan's rival gang are already lodged in the prison, the motive is clear. We are pursuing some vital clues," a senior police officer said.

This is the fourth murder in recent months in which rowdy gangs carried out revenge killings in this part of the State. A couple of months ago, a habitual offender, Suruli, and his accomplice, Neelakandan, were brutally killed by a gang at a workshop in Ezhuthanikara Street near South Gate. The murders took place in broad daylight and the accused lobbed country-made explosives to scare away onlookers.

The Police Commissioner, Vijay Kumar, has formed five special teams to nab the assailants who are suspected to be residents of Madurai. Following specific information, a couple of teams have fanned out to some neighbouring towns to apprehend the accused.

"This has nothing to do with the general law and order in the city. Such murders are planned, owing to previous enmity. However, we have taken steps to prevent organised crimes," he added.

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