The New Indian Express ·
Former panchayat vice-president run over by tractor, TN villagers allege murder
NAMAKKAL: A former panchayat vice-president of Pallakuzhi village near Mallasamudram in Tiruchengode died after being hit by a tractor on Monday, with villagers and relatives alleging that he was deliberately targeted over his objections to alleged illegal sand mining activities in the area. A person who was accompanying him was also injured in the incident.
The deceased was identified as K Murugan (50), former vice-president of Pallakuzhi panchayat, who was also engaged in identifying groundwater sources. According to police, Murugan and S Srikanth (24) were travelling on a two-wheeler when they were hit by a tractor carrying sand. Murugan suffered severe injuries and died, while Srikanth was injured and is undergoing treatment.
Following the incident, villagers and relatives staged a road blockade with Murugan's body, alleging that he had been questioning people involved in illegal sand mining in the area and was deliberately targeted.
