A 54-year-old panchayat president, Maharajan, died after a stone allegedly thrown from a crowd during a protest over drinking water shortage struck him on the head at Kannanallur village near Valliyur in Tirunelveli district.
Residents of Kannanallur had been staging a protest against the lack of drinking water supply in the village for the past few days. Panchayat president Maharajan had gone to the spot to pacify the protesters.
During the protest, an unidentified person allegedly threw a brick from the crowd, which struck Maharajan on the head. He sustained serious injuries, collapsed and fell unconscious at the spot.
The protesters subsequently stopped the agitation and attempted to take Maharajan to a hospital. However, he died at the scene.
Valliyur police have registered a case and launched an investigation. Tirunelveli Superintendent of Police Vishwesh Shastri said the person allegedly involved in the attack had been identified and was absconding. Police are searching for him and he is expected to be arrested soon.
