Senthil Kumar, a BJP worker, was hacked to death by assailants at Villianur in Puducherry on Sunday. After the incident, seven persons who were allegedly involved in Senthil Kumar's murder surrendered in Trichy court on Monday.
According to IANS, Senthil Kumar was close to Puducherry Home Minister A Namassivayam. He was earlier with Congress and shifted to BJP after Namassivayam moved to the saffron party.
On Sunday, when Senthil was waiting near a tea stall, a group of assailants who reached the spot in seven motorcycles started to hurl country bombs. Once the smoke engulfed the area, they reportedly hacked Senthil to death.
An eyewitness talking to IANS said, "The assailants hurled two country bombs at Senthil Kumar, following which smoke engulfed the area and they hacked him to death."
Following this, tension prevailed in Villianur area and a heavy police force was deployed in the area.
The BJP workers also reached the spot and staged a protest.
It is said that Senthil Kumar was also into real estate and many other businesses apart from BJP's party-related matters in Mangalam constituency.
A senior police officer said, "Real estate-related rivalry is suspected to be the motive behind the murder."
Meanwhile, the opposition DMK raised the issue in the Assembly and demanded immediate action against the local inspector.
Opposition leader R. Siva said that the police had failed to act even after Senthil Kumar had lodged a complaint earlier claiming threats to his life.
The Opposition leader said, "The killing of a ruling party functionary in public was a clear understanding of the prevailing law and order situation in the union territory of Puducherry."
(With IANS inputs)