Municipal chairman, driver killed in IED explosion

Sivaganga, Tamil Nadu, June 29 (UNI) Siva ganga Municipal Chairman a DMK rebel elected to office as an independent and his driver were killed and eight injured when his car was reportedly detonated with an improvised explosive device (IED) due to political rivalry.

District Police Superintendent N Kannan said the incident occurred when Mr P Murugan was in he way to his house from the municipal office around lunch time.

The vehicle was blown just ten metre from the office near the bus stand, critically injuring Mr Murugan and his driver Pandi, and a local youth.

While Mr Murugan died on the way to Madurai where he was rushed for treatment, Pandi succumbed to injuries at a corporate hospital there.

The blast was so powerful that it damaged a Madurai-bound bus, injuring some of the passengers and bystanders, sending shock waves in the town.

Mr Kanna said a special team with expertise in handling explosives, arrived from Madurai for assisting the investigation.

A special team had been formed to nab the culprits.

Police suspect that an IED could have detonated with a remote control.

Meanwhile, shops and business establishments remained closed since the afternoon and posters have come up demanding the arrest of Mr Manimuthu, the official candidate of the DMK who lost the civic election, in connection with the incident.

According to police and intelligence sources, the incident was believed to be a sequel to the running factional fight and bitter political feud.

The deceased chairman, backed by a former DMK legislator, had contested the civic election as an independent defeating the party's official nominee, Mr Manimuthu.

Ever since the election, the political rivalry sharpened with no let down in intensity.

UNI