Dalit leader hacked to death in Tamil Nadu

TIRUVARUR (Tamil Nadu): Prominent Dalit leader and senior Communist Party of India (CPI) functionary K Rajendran was hacked to death in Tamil Nadu on Thursday, police said.

Rajendran, 51, had halted his car outside Tiruvarur town, the home district of Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, when he was attacked by unidentified assailants. He died on the spot,  police said.

According to CPI sources, the deceased was active amongst the downtrodden Dalits.

Workers from left parties blocked road traffic for several hours bringing towns in the vicinity including Mannargudi, Tranquebar and Nagappattinam to a halt.

Police officials were stationed at all vulnerable areas to prevent clashes, official sources added.

While the body of the deceased has been sent for post mortem examination, no arrests have been made so far.

Situated 300 km south of state capital Chennai, the district is rife with irrigation issues of farmers.