A BJP district vice president was found hanging from a tree near his house in Muthanampalayam in Tirupur on Friday morning.
A picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a garland of chappals, flags of Hindu Munnani and BJP, and a black flag was found next to the body by the tirupur police.
SP Marimuthi, (48), the deceased, had gone out to feed his cattle around 4 am on Friday. When he did not return for many hours, his wife Pushpa went out in search of him. She found him hanging from a tree near their house. She immediately informed the police and his body was sent to Tirupur government hospital for post-mortem.
Police officers investigating the case say they are also looking into the possibility of murder. There was tension in the area after his death and many shops were closed fearing protests.
BJP National Secretary Muralidhar Rao on Twitter condemned Marimuthu's death and demanded immediate action from Tamil Nadu government against the persons and organizations involved in the alleged murder. He also added that BJP has become a target for Islamic terror groups in Tamil Nadu.
Strongly condemning the murder of Tiruppur north district BJP vice president S.P. Muthu. @CM_tamilnadu
— P Muralidhar Rao (@PMuralidharRao) January 27, 2017
BJP demands immediate action from Tamilnadu Govt against the persons & organizations involved in targeted murders. @CM_tamilnadu
— P Muralidhar Rao (@PMuralidharRao) January 27, 2017
On September 21, 2016, Hindu Munnani spokesperson C Sasikumar, (36), was hacked by a gang of four people. The next day, he died in Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital (CMCH).
Following which, tension prevailed in Coimbatore and protests were carried out by party functionaries. Several buses and mosques were reportedly targeted during the protest.