KARAIKAL:A day after former Assembly Speaker V M C Sivakumar was hacked to death by a seven-member gang in Neravy, police are pursuing a complaint he lodged recently alleging threat from the widow of a liquor baron. Meanwhile, curfew has been imposed at Neravy and Thirumalairayanpattinam on Tuesday night to prevent any untoward incidents. The prohibitory orders will continue till Thursday midnight.
According to sources, Sivakumar had complained with Thirumalairayanpattinam police that Ezhilarasi, the second wife of liquor baron Ramu, was demanding money. Now, police suspect Ezhilarasi’s hand in Sivakumar’s murder and have formed three teams to trace her as she is in hiding since October 2016.
The teams will conduct investigations at Mayiladuthurai, Sirkazhi and Karaikal respectively. While the Karaikal team led by Investigation Officer (IO) Sivakumar will interrogate workers present at the construction site, the other teams will work on the involvement of gangsters Gabriel and Vellapallam Vinoth.
Speaking to Express, V J Chandran, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) said, “Personal enmity between Ezhilarasi and Sivakumar is presumed as reason for the murder. Ezhilarasi is absconding for the past few months and we suspect she is moving across Madurai, Theni and Virudhunagar. We suspect that gangsters Gabriel and Vellapallam Vinoth might be involved in this murder.”
Further, it is understood that CCTV footage acquired from Sivakumar’s liquor shops, where the gang hurled bombs did not capture the assailants’ identity. “We are scrutinizing each and every CCTV camera installed in the neighbourhood to identify the assailants.” Chandran added. Police sources said no fingerprints could be found on the handles of the weapons left behind by the attackers.
Since the gun loaded with 20 bullets carried by Sivakumar’s gunman Premnath was snatched away, Tamil Nadu police have been alerted to maintain vigil at the border and intensify vehicle checks.
Asked whether protection would be provided to Sivakumar’s associates to prevent a repeat attack, Chandran said necessary steps will be taken after assessing the situation.