CHIDAMBARAM: The gruesome beheading of two Dalit brothers at Annamalai Nagar near Chidambaram in the wee hours of Tuesday is reportedly tied to a country-made bomb explosion on May 3 this year.
‘Ambulance’ Kumar (34) and Rajesh (32), residents of Kalungamedu area at Annamalai Nagar, were beheaded by a gang at their house and their severed heads were dumped outside the Rajah Muthiah Medical College Hospital. The double murder is believed to be the fallout of Kumar’s enmity with Hari, brother of deceased rowdy Chandran. Kumar was also reportedly the intended victim of a bomb, which accidentally exploded while being assembled inside a house at Mariyappa Nagar in Annamalai Nagar on May 3.
Recalling the case, a police source said, “Kumar had fallen out with Hari and threatened to kill him. Angered Hari’s supporters started manufacturing bombs to kill Kumar. One of these bombs accidentally exploded while being assembled at Annamalai University worker Arulprasath’s rented house.”
“Hari was found dead in his house with cut injuries a few weeks later. A case of suicide was registered according to which Hari ended his life distraught over his wife’s death,” sources added. Tuesday’s double murder sent shockwaves across Chidambaram with shops near Rajah Muthiah Hospital remaining closed for the entire day. There was heavy police deployment in front of the hospital.
Meanwhile, around 100 VCK cadre, led by district secretary V K Chellappan, staged a protest march from the Chidambaram hospital and handed a petition to the sub-collector, demanding police action against atrocities on Dalits. VCK state deputy general secretary Thirumarban was also present. “The police failed to act after the May 3 incident. It is due to their inactivity that Kumar and Rajesh have been murdered,” Chellappan said. Angry relatives of the deceased duo refused to take charge of the bodies.