NAGERCOIL: A trader was murdered on the roadside and his body was doused with petrol and set on fire. The deceased is Velu (46), son of Kumareshan, a native of Vayal Street, Vadalivilai, Nagercoil. It is indicated that the crime was carried out by a gang of six people. Five special police teams are searching for the accused.

The investigation revealed that Velu had been threatened by the cannabis mafia. It is also suspected that the murder was committed by a robbery gang. Velu is unmarried. The incident took place at 11 pm on Friday. Velu is a grocer in Kavimani Nagar. Police said that Velu was stopped and killed when he reached Pandian Veedhi in Kavimani Nagar near Hindu College when he was on his way home after closing his shop. The initial conclusion is that he was killed by a hollow brick attack to his head. Following this, the body along with his bike was doused with petrol and set on fire. A hollow brick was found near the body.

The locals who saw the unidentified body half burnt on the road at 7 am yesterday were the ones who informed the Kottar police. The deceased was identified as Velu by the number plate of the vehicle. District Police Chief Stalin, Nagercoil ASP Lalit Kumar, fingerprint experts, dog squad and special team officers visited the scene.