Latest news with #Balamurugan
The Hindu
17 hours ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Tamil Nadu State Primary Cooperative Employees Union stages demonstration in Thoothukudi
The members of Tamil Nadu State Primary Cooperative Bank Employees Union staged demonstration in front of the District Collectorate in Thoothukudi on Friday, urging the government to address the demands raised by ration shop employees. During the demonstration, the district president of the union A. Beniksar and district secretary A. Balamurugan explained their demands in detail. One of the key concerns raised was the delay in distributing the items to cardholders as electronic weighing scales connected through Bluetooth are being used in ration shops. Due to this system, it takes at least 8 to 10 minutes to distribute items to one card holder, resulting in daily limit of only about 50 families being served. This has led to frequent tensions between the public and the shop employees, often resulting in complaints against the staff. To resolve this, the protestors demanded that Bluetooth based sales either be completely removed or simplified to avoid delays. They also highlighted that items moved from the consumer goods corporation's warehouse to primary cooperative societies are often underweight, up to 2 to 5 kg of rice and 1 to 2 kg of sugar, toor dal and wheat. They insisted that all items must be supplied in the correct quantity. Another key demand was to equip all fair price shops with upgraded devices capable of authenticating through both fingerprint and iris recognition, to ensure smoother and more secure distribution. The members of the union participated in the protest and raised slogans emphasising their demands.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Hindu Activist Brutally Killed In Tamil Nadu Attack
A prominent Hindu organization leader was brutally murdered in a pre-dawn attack near his residence in Tamil Nadu's Tiruppur district, marking another violent incident targeting political activists in the state. Balamurugan, who served as the Tiruppur North town president of Hindu Munnani, was killed by three unidentified assailants who surrounded and attacked him with sharp weapons around 4 AM on Tuesday. The 30-year-old victim had been associated with the legal wing of the Hindu organization and was reportedly targeted while he was near his home in the Kumaranandhapuram area. According to police reports, Balamurugan had stepped out of his residence around midnight on Monday. The attackers allegedly waited for several hours before launching their assault, suggesting the murder may have been premeditated rather than a random act of violence. Local law enforcement agencies immediately responded to the crime scene following reports of the attack. District police officials have initiated a comprehensive investigation, collecting closed-circuit television footage from the surrounding area to identify the perpetrators and establish their escape route. The brutal nature of the attack, involving multiple assailants using sharp weapons, has raised concerns about the safety of political and religious organization leaders in Tamil Nadu. The incident adds to a troubling pattern of violence targeting activists and political figures across different communities in the state. This murder follows a series of similar attacks on political activists in Tamil Nadu over recent years. In July 2023, Bahujan Samaj Party Tamil Nadu president K Armstrong was hacked to death by six unidentified individuals near his Chennai residence in Perambur. The Armstrong case led to multiple arrests and subsequent police encounters that resulted in the killing of several suspects, including history-sheeter Thiruvengadam and gangster Seizing Raja. Shortly after Armstrong's murder, another political figure, Pattali Makkal Katchi functionary Sivasankar, was stabbed by motorcycle-borne attackers in front of his home in Cuddalore district. The attack was captured on nearby surveillance cameras, showing the assailants fleeing with daggers after the assault. The pattern of violence extends back further, with a 2016 incident involving another Hindu Munnani functionary who was killed by a four-member gang in Coimbatore. The National Investigation Agency's subsequent investigation revealed that case to be a case of mistaken identity, where the actual target was a different organization member with the same name who had made controversial social media posts. Hindu Munnani, established in 1980, is a Hindu nationalist organization that operates primarily in Tamil Nadu. The group has been involved in various religious and political activities, often positioning itself as a defender of Hindu interests in the state. The organization has previously raised concerns about various issues including religious conversions and what it describes as threats to Hindu traditions. The murder of Balamurugan has prompted calls for enhanced security measures for political and religious organization leaders, particularly those involved in sensitive community issues. The incident highlights the volatile nature of Tamil Nadu's political landscape, where ideological differences sometimes escalate into violent confrontations. Police investigations are focusing on determining whether the attack was motivated by personal enmity, political rivalry, or ideological differences. Authorities are examining Balamurugan's recent activities and any potential threats he may have received prior to the murder. The case underscores broader concerns about political violence in Tamil Nadu, where activists from various organizations have faced targeted attacks. The state's complex social and political dynamics, involving multiple communities and ideological groups, have occasionally resulted in violent incidents that challenge law and order. As the investigation continues, local communities and political organizations are calling for swift justice and measures to prevent similar attacks in the future. The incident serves as a reminder of the risks faced by individuals involved in political and social activism in India's diverse and sometimes polarized political environment.
India Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Pro-Hindu outfit member hacked to death near home in Tamil Nadu's Tiruppur
A 30-year-old functionary of Hindu Munnani, a pro-Hindu outfit in Tamil Nadu, was murdered near his residence at Kumaranandhapuram in Tiruppur on Tuesday victim, Balamurugan, served in the legal wing of the Hindu Munnani. Police said Balamurugan had stepped out of his house around midnight. Reportedly, around 4 am, three unidentified men allegedly surrounded him near his home and hacked him to the incident, district police rushed to the spot, collected CCTV footage from the vicinity, and launched an investigation to nab the attackers. Further details are awaited. In July last year, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Tamil Nadu president K Armstrong was hacked to death by six unidentified people near his residence in Chennai's Perambur Armstrong's murder, eight people were arrested. Thiruvengadam, a history-sheeter who was allegedly involved in the murder of BSP state chief, was killed in a police encounter near Madhavaram in Chennai, police added. Another gangster involved in Armstrong's murder, Seizing Raja was also killed in a police encounter.A few days after the former BSP chief's murder, a Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) functionary was stabbed by bike-borne attackers in front of his home in Tamil Nadu's men attacked Sivasankar, a cable TV operator, when he was standing in front of his house in Thirupapuliyur on Saturday. They hacked him and escaped from the spot. Visuals captured on a nearby CCTV show the attackers running with 2016, a 40-year-old Hindu Munnani functionary was hacked to death by a four-member gang in Coimbatore. The National Investigation Agency (NIA), after its investigation, found that the murder was a case of mistaken identity. The original target was another Hindu Munnani member with the same name who had posted a social media post that was objectionable and hurt the sentiment of a particular community.- Ends IN THIS STORY#Tamil Nadu
New Indian Express
21-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Man takes truck for a spin in Chennai, caught after 9 km chase
CHENNAI: The busy GST Road on Tuesday afternoon witnessed a high-speed chase by the police and motorists after a man sped away with a lorry that was parked on the roadside near Peanur toll plaza. Sources said the 37-year-old man, suspected to be suffering from mental illness, managed to drive the vehicle for around 9 km before he was caught after the vehicle crashed into a roadside barricade. The chase was on a par with the scene taken out of an action thriller, as at one point of time, Special Sub-Inspector (Traffic) Balamurugan, in a bid to persuade the man to stop the truck laden with M-Sand, climbed on to the vehicle's footboard where he clung on until it came to a halt. Sources said the man, hailing from Tirunelveli, took away the truck when its driver, Kamalakannan, stepped out to recharge the FASTag.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Time of India
Kallazhagar begins return journey to Alagar hills
Madurai : Lord Kallazhagar began his return journey to the Alagar hills on Thursday morning, marking the final leg of the Chithirai festivities . The revered deity, who descended into the city in royal grandeur, was taken on the traditional 'Poo Pallakku' (floral palanquin) procession, a significant cultural and spiritual event that drew thousands of devotees through the night and into early morning. Mounted on Anantha Rayer Pallakku, the deity was decorated with vibrant floral arrangements and regal ornaments, creating a stunning visual spectacle. The palanquin, adorned entirely with fresh flowers of varied hues, moved gracefully through the streets, with devotees chanting hymns and offering prayers. For many, witnessing this part of the festival is considered auspicious, said the devotees. The procession which commenced at 7am from Ramanathapuram Mannar Sethupathi Mandapam at Tamukkam passed through important locations including Mariamman temple (out post), Ambalakarar Mandapam, and Moondru Maavadi. The deity crossed Madurai city limits on the way to Sundararajan Patti and is scheduled to reach Alagarkovil by Friday morning. While the spiritual significance of the procession was not lost on the crowds, the event also caused heavy traffic disruptions, particularly on Natham Road and adjacent localities such as Narimedu and Bibi Kulam. Several arterial and interior roads were blocked, resulting in long delays for morning commuters. "We couldn't step out for work or drop our children at school on time. The procession is a cherished tradition, but there needs to be better traffic management," said R. Balamurugan, a resident of Bibi Kulam. Another commuter, Priya Suresh of Narimedu, said clear communication and alternate routes should be planned in advance. City police deployed personnel at key junctions and used barricades to manage the crowd and traffic. Officials later urged the public to cooperate, citing the festival's cultural importance and large turnout.
