Gang hurls four petrol bombs at former Madurai Corporation zonal chairman’s house

MADURAI: A

gang

hurled four

petrol bombs

at the

house

of former

Madurai corporation

zonal chairman V K Gurusamy at Kamarajarpuram on Tuesday morning.

No causality and injury were reported. There was no damage to the house too. However, the gang damaged seven vehicles, including cars and autorickshaws, which were parked on the road.

The dispute between Gurusamy and the gang dates back to 2001. Gurusamy and his son, V K G Mani, were involved in several murder cases earlier due to their rivalry with Rajapandi and gang.

Police suspect that Tuesday’s attack was carried out by Rajapandi’s relative Vellaikali and his accomplices. Rajapandi was the former zonal chairman of the Madurai Corporation.

Gurusamy and his son were absconding fearing arrest for the murders they had executed. The duo were facing a threat to their lives from the opponent gang.

Gurusamy and Mani were not in the house when the incident happened, police said. The gang must have anticipated their presence in the house on Tuesday as their close relative Muthuramalingam died a few days ago.

A police officer said four petrol bombs were hurled at the house at 6am.

While leaving, the gang went on a rampage and attacked vehicles that were parked on the road side. At least seven vehicles were damaged, the officer added.

Adequate security was provided to Muthuramalingam’s son and wife, who were out on a three-day parole to attend the funeral. Security was deployed during the funeral too. The mother-son duo were arrested for possessing ganja.

Since 2001, 15 people from both the gangs lost their lives due to the rivalry. Dispute among them started over pasting posters.

Gurusamy and Rajapandi hailed from Kamuthi in Ramanathapuram district and are relatives. While Gurusamy joined DMK, Rajapandi joined AIADMK.

It was Vellaikali’s birthday on Tuesday, and police suspected that his accomplices may have planned the attack for his birthday.

Deputy commissioner of police (law and order), Madurai city, R Shiva Prasad said that teams were formed to trace those, who were involved in the attack.

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