Four arrested for murder of SC youth in Mayiladuthurai

Four persons have been arrested in connection with the murder of a 26-year-old Scheduled Caste youth who had fallen in love with the daughter of an inter-caste couple. The victim Vairamuthu was hacked to death at Adiyamangalam in Mayiladuthurai district late on Monday.

He had been in a decade-long relationship with Malini, daughter of an inter-caste couple, which her mother, Vijaya, belonging to a Caste Hindu community opposed. Police said prior enmity between Vijaya and Vairamuthu has led to the murder.

Based on a complaint from Viramuthu’s mother, Rajalakshmi, police registered a murder case against six persons.

Those arrested were identified as Gugan, 21, Malini’s brother; Anbunithi ,19, son of Anbarasan; Bhaskar, 42, son of Somu; and Vijaya ,45, Malini’s mother — all residents of Adiyamangalam. Police said all except Vijaya belong to the Scheduled Caste community.

As one of the accused, Vijaya, is from a caste Hindu background, provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act have been invoked. The probe has been handed over to Sub-Divisional Police Officer Balaji. Efforts are on to trace two more suspects.