Police have arrested five people, including a DMK functionary, in connection with the murder of VCK functionary Balamurugan at a petrol pump in Thoothukkudi, with all the suspects apprehended within six hours of the attack, according to police. More than 200 police personnel have been deployed in the area following protests and tension in the densely populated locality.
The attack took place around 6 am on November 1 at a fuel outlet on Sethupathi Road. Police said Balamurugan, 40, had gone to refuel his two-wheeler when a five-member gang arrived on two motorcycles, surrounded him and attacked him with sickles. He died at the scene.
Balamurugan was a former VCK union secretary for Ottapidaram. He ran a vegetable shop and also worked as a van driver. Police said the alleged murder arose from a dispute over the placement of flex banners on Sottaiyan Thoppu main road.
The Thalamuthunagar police recovered the body and sent it to Tuticorin Government Hospital for a post-mortem examination. A case was registered at the Thalamuthunagar police station based on a complaint filed by Balamurugan’s wife, Sudha.
The incident led to a road blockade on Sottaiyan Thoppu main road, where hundreds of local residents and relatives of the deceased gathered to demand immediate action against those responsible. The protest disrupted traffic in the area and was withdrawn after senior police officials held talks with the demonstrators and assured them that swift arrests would be made.
Police said the suspects were identified and apprehended after investigators reviewed CCTV footage from the fuel station. The deployment of more than 200 personnel is intended to maintain order in the area as the investigation continues.
