Villagers lynch history-sheeter

CHENNAI: Residents of Thiruthaveli village near Guduvanchery on Sunday night beat up a notorious goon K Siva using iron bars, stones and wooden logs, killing him on the spot. Siva's face was disfigured in the attack after the mob beat him for nearly half an hour. Police have detained five persons. People living in villages nearby told TOI that Siva had been a threat to them. "It's good that he was killed. We were finding it difficult to live here. Siva used to come and threaten us for money. He extorted money from every house during any auspicious function," Thirumathi, a resident, said. The fury of the residents turned on Siva on Sunday night when they saw him beat up Kamalakannan, another resident. Kamalakannan fell unconscious and was admitted to a hospital. "The public, along with brothers of the injured, decided to put an end to the problems created by Siva. They gathered and attacked him when he was fully drunk and was on his way home. No one came to his rescue," DIG of Kancheepuram Masanamuthu said. Only Siva's mother and sister were at home when the attack took place. "No one came forward to shift Siva's body to the hospital. His brother and relatives came only at around 4 am (on Monday). The police also reached by the time and the body was shifted to the Chrompet government hospital for post-mortem," Guna, a friend of the history-sheeter, said. Guna said caste conflict could be the cause of Siva's murder. "His was the only family representing his community in the village of nearly 110 families of other castes. Siva used to fight against the wrong-doers and so they were angry against him," Guna said. Siva's brother, who did not want to be named, attributed the cause of attack to previous enmity. "He was an alcoholic, but not a rowdy," he said. But the police had a different version. "Siva was accused in many cases, including two murders, and two attempt to murder cases. He also organised kangroo courts," the DIG said. Siva's wife Vijaya, their two children, his father and brother stay in Tiruvanmaiyur.