PTI | Virudhunagar
Two guards at a temple in Rajapalayam in the district were hacked to death and cash from the hundi (offering box) was stolen, police said on Tuesday.
The double murder triggered political outrage in the state, with parties criticising the police and demanding the immediate arrest of the culprits.
Police had to pacify the victims’ relatives, who had gathered in front of the temple, and assured them of stringent action against the accused.
A senior official said special teams have been formed to trace and arrest the culprits, who had also damaged CCTV cameras in the temple and taken away the digital video recorder (DVR). A guard on the morning shift noticed the bodies of the two watchmen—Shankarapandian (65) and Pechimuthu (50)—lying with multiple cut injuries. near the flagmast inside the Nachadai Thavirtharuliya Swamy temple at Devadanam and immediately informed temple officials and police.
The ancient temple, located about 12 km from Rajapalayam, is managed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department.
The temple’s offering box was found broken and cash missing, the official said, adding that police suspect the two guards were killed while resisting the robbery. A case has been registered and an investigation is underway.
