Physically challenged farmer murdered; wife also hacked

A physically challenged farmer was murdered while his wife suffered serious cut injuries near Puliyangudi in the district on Friday night.

Police said differently-abled farmer Sankaralingam, 48, of Pachcheri near Nerkattumseval under Puliyangudi police station limits and his wife Subbuthai, 40, were returning home on a bike on Friday night. When they were crossing the cremation ground, an armed gang intercepted the bike and hacked the couple.

While Sankaralingam died on the spot, Subbuthai has been admitted to Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital with grievous cut injuries. Her condition is said to be ‘critical’.

During investigation, Puliyangudi police found that Sankaralingam and his relatives had land dispute and both the sides had filed complaints with the Puliyangudi police in this connection.

Since Sankaralingam has been murdered against this backdrop, police suspect that his rivals might have killed him and picked-up 10 suspects for interrogation.