An AIADMK functionary was murdered in a brutal manner by a gang at Sirkazhi on Monday morning.
L. Ramesh Babu, 45, of Edamanal village and AIADMK student wing secretary of Kollidam Union, was attacked as he was about to board his car at Tirupurasundari Nagar after visiting a friend at Pidari North Street.
The gang was waiting for him. As soon as it spotted him it lobbed a few country bombs before attacking him with sickles.
Mr. Babu’s face was disfigured with sharp weapons by the gang that had come in cars and motorcycles.
Mr. Babu, who was into sand quarrying and building contracts, was said to be a close confidant of Minister for Handlooms and Textiles O. S. Manian. Mr. Manian who was attending a function at Vedaranyam rushed to Sirkazhi on hearing the news.
Senior police officials inspected the spot of crime. The police took possession of the pistol that Ramesh Babu had with him for self-defence.
The police have registered a case and probing the murder from different angles, including motives due to business and political rivalry.