Panchayat chief murdered

Tiruchirapalli, Feb 22 (UNI) A panchayat president was hacked to death by a five-member armed gang at Kilikkoodu here today.

Special Branch Police sources said Kilikkoodu Panchayat President S Ranganathan was stopped by the gang while he was on way to his office on a motorcycle.

The gang attacked him with sickles killing Ranganathan on the spot.

Police suspect previous enmity with Ex-President Balakrishnan as the reason behind the murder.

Samayapuram Tollgate Police have registered a case and launched a search for Balakrishnan and four of his associates.

Tension prevailed in Kilikkoodu and Kavutharasanalllur Village--the victim's native-- due to the incident. Police pickets were posted to prevent any untoward incidents.

UNI