Namakkal: A former panchayat vice president died after a tractor collided with his two-wheeler at Pallakuzhi village in Tiruchengode taluk, Namakkal district, on Monday evening. His companion survived with severe injuries.The deceased has been identified as K Murugan, 40, while his companion was identified as S Srikanth, 24; both from Pallakuzhi village. Police said the accident took place when the duo were travelling around to collect funds for the upcoming Muniyappan temple festival.However, locals alleged that Murugan was deliberately targeted for questioning people involved in illegal sand and soil quarrying. Villagers placed his body on the road and staged a blockade demanding justice. Police held talks with villagers and Murugan’s relatives as the protest continued for several hours, causing unrest in Pallakuzhi and nearby areas.Meanwhile, the tractor owner K Lakshmanan, 36, who was driving the vehicle at the time of the incident, surrendered at Mallasamudiram police station. “Lakshmanan maintains that Murugan lost balance while trying to overtake the tractor and came under its rear wheel,” said an officer from Mallasamudiram police station.“We are investigating whether the death was accidental or a deliberate act linked to illegal soil quarrying,” the officer added.A case has been registered and further probe is on.(Photos: AM Shudhagar)
