A soldier from Tamil Nadu, who was assaulted by a DMK councillor and a few others, over an argument about washing clothes in a public tank in Pochampalli area of Krishnagiri passed away.
According to media reports, the soldier, who has been identified as Prabhu, was attacked on February 8. He had sustained serious injuries and was undergoing treatment in a private hospital where he succumbed.
Prabhu had reportedly served in Jammu and Kashmir, among other places.
The accused, including the councillor, identified as Chinnasamy, and eight others have been arrested.
The ruling DMK has come under fire over the incident. The opposition, AIADMK, claimed that whenever DMK is in power law and order are severely compromised.
"Murder of the army man shows that whenever DMK is in power law and order are severely compromised. This has gone to the extent of killing an army officer. Police being only used to avenge vendetta from AIADMK and other opponents," news agency ANI quoted AIADMK spokesperson Kovai Sathyan as saying.