Man stabbed to death at Kaanum Pongal event near Trichy

Trichy: A 38-year-old man was stabbed to death after he intervened in a heated argument between two groups during a village sports event near Trichy on Kaanum Pongal on Saturday. The incident triggered protests by his family members in Namakkal on Sunday.The victim was identified as M Karthik Raja, a daily wage labourer from Devanurpudur in the Thathaiyangarpettai block of Trichy district.Sources said Karthik had gone to watch traditional games organised as part of Kaanum Pongal celebrations, including a pole-climbing competition. An argument broke out between two groups during the event and soon escalated into a physical clash. When Karthik attempted to intervene and pacify both sides, one of the suspects allegedly attacked him.Police said M Sakthivel (28) pulled out a knife and stabbed Karthik, who collapsed on the spot with severe injuries. He was rushed to Namakkal Government Medical College and Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.Thathaiyangarpettai police registered a case under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and arrested Sakthivel along with another accused, M Dinesh Kumar (19).On Sunday, Karthik's wife Meena and other family members staged a protest near the hospital mortuary, demanding the arrest of those involved. Police later informed them that the accused had already been taken into custody, following which the protest was withdrawn. After the post-mortem, the body was handed over to the family.Both accused were produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody at Trichy Central Prison. Further investigation is under way.