Thanjavur AIADMK youth wing leader hacked to death

By Our Staff Reporter

THANJAVUR, SEPT. 6. Mr. S.V.T. Raja (40), AIADMK Thanjavur north district youth secretary, was hacked to death by a group at Palliagraharam near here this morning. His ten-year-old son and eight-year-old daughter, who were witness to the murder, became dumbstruck. A search has been launched to nab the culprits.

Mr. Raja, a resident of Kalyanapuram near Thiruvaiyaru, was driving a car to drop his son and daughter at school here, when a rowdy sheeter, Thendral Durai, and six others waylaid him near a theatre and attacked him with sickles, according to the police. He died on the spot. The body was found in a pool of blood in the driver seat.

Mr. Raja's children were so shocked that they were not able to speak when they were interrogated, the police said.

Mr. Prem Kumar, SP, who visited the spot, said Thendral Durai, an accused in many cases, cut banana trees on a garden belonging to the assistant of Mr. Raja a few days ago. A complaint was lodged and Durai was arrested and remanded. He came out on bail on Wednesday. Mr. Raja's brother and a few others went in search of him to enquire why he cut the trees. But Durai escaped and allegedly hatched a conspiracy with his brother and five others to murder Raja.

Expressing deep condolences to Mr. Raja's family, the Chief Minister, Ms.Jayalalithaa, said the MGR Youth Wing officer-bearer was killed at a time when he was poised for greater responsibilities. The guilty would be brought to book at the earliest, she assured the family.

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Section  : Southern States
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