DMK president M.K. Stalin on Wednesday paid tribute to former Tirunelveli Mayor Uma Maheshwari and her husband Murugasankaran, who were murdered on Tuesday.
Mr. Stalin, who consoled the deceased’s family members, said Maheshwari had good administrative capabilities and had earned the respect of everyone. “Uma Maheshwari, her husband and their maid died in unforeseen circumstances. My condolences to their families,” he said.
Further, he said crime was on the rise under the current regime. “The culprits should be identified quickly and justice delivered,” he added. Members of various political parties paid tribute to the deceased. The cremation took place at V.M. Chatram.
The murder of Mariammal, the domestic help, has left her three teenaged daughters — Veeralakshmi, 17, Jothilakshmi, 15, and Rajeshwari, 13 — orphaned. They were residing in a rented house at Teachers’ Colony in Palayamkottai. Their father, Murugakani, died of an illness several years ago, after which Mariammal took responsibility for the upkeep of her children and her mother, Vasantha.