Attack on Panchayat president: Nine held, 3 at large

Chennai, Dec 18 (UNI) Police today arrested nine people in connection with yesterday's attack on DMK functionary and President of the Sirukulathur village panchayat at suburb Andangkuppam.

Police said a search was on for three other gang members who were said to be absconding.

Police seized a gun, five knives, two country-bombs, four live bullets, two cars and a motor cycle from the arrested.

The arrested were identified as Madhan (28), Johnson (27), Senthil Raj (28), Meganathan (28), Pogapathi Balu (28), Ashok (23), Murugan (28), Ranjan (38) and Babu alias Gundu Babu. All the arrested were hailing from suburb Kelithipettai.

Further investigations were on.

It might be recalled that 38-year-old DMK functionary and President of the Sirukulathur Village panchayat Hari Krishnan and his two associates were injured when a twelve member rival gang attacked them with country-made bombs and sickles at suburban Andangkuppam yesterday, due to previous enemity.

The injured Mr Krishnan and his friends were returning to his village, after participating in the reception to DMK President and Chief Minister M Karunanidhi at Menambakkam, enroute to Villupuram to participate in the distribution of the second phase of land distribution, when they were intercepted by the gang.

The gang was led by AIADMK functionary Madhan. They came in two cars and hurled country-made bombs and attacked them with sickles.

Later, they fled the scene by leaving their cars.

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