Gang rivalries result in murder of two in separate incidents

Madurai: Two people were murdered in separate incidents that took place in Sourashtrapuram near Vandiyur and Jeeva Nagar near Jaihindpuram late on Wednesday night. Gang rivalry was stated to be the reason in both incidents. Police have made a few arrests in both the incidents and a search is on for others.
In the incident that took place at Sourashtrapuram, a 58-year-old painting contractor was murdered.Police said the murder was a fallout of a gang rivalry between two groups led by Senthil Pandian and Load Murugan. The dispute between the gangs was over who reigned supreme in selling ganja.
The victim was identified as P Meganathan from Vandiyur and a close relative of Pandian. Police said a 12-member gang from Murugan's gang intercepted Meganathan, who was walking on a street in Sourashtrapuram and hacked him to death. Police added that Meganathan was murdered to avenge the murder of Balamurugan, a gangster from Murugan's gang in 2015.
Immediately after beginning their investigation, police arrested two persons - Muthuvel and S R Kumar and remanded them in judicial custody.
In another similar incident, a 32-year-old man identified as U Murali was murdered on Wednesday night. Police said a verbal duel between Murali and one Kumar alias Home Guard Kumar broke out when they met at an eatery in Jeeva Nagar. Murali was rushed to hospital where he died. Kumar too sustained injuries and was hospitalized. Police arrested the accused, who is said to be a close relative of noted rowdy Varichur Selvam.