Five arrests have been made in connection with the murder of social activist Ramalingam, who was killed soon after resisting religious conversion attempts by suspected radical Islamists in a Dalit neighbourhood, News Today has reported.

Those arrested have been identified as S Nijam Ali, Sarbudeen, Rizwan, Mohamed Azarudeen and Mohamed Raiyaz.

This incident happened in Tamil Nadu’s Tirubhuvanam near the temple town of Kumbakonam on Wednesday (6 February).

It was reported that a day earlier (5 February) Ramalingam noticed a group of men said to be belonging to the radical Islamic organisation Popular Front of India (PFI), proselytising in a Dalit dominated neighbourhood.

He entered into an argument with them following which they dispersed. In a video which captured the incident, Ramalingam was seen resisting the proselytising efforts of a Muslim man at Packiyanathan Thoppu.

A day later (6 February) he was reportedly going home from Chettimandapam, in his mini-load van, accompanied by his 17-year-old son.

When the vehicle was passing through Muslim dominated locality in Tirubhuvanam, it was blocked by a car. A four member gang came out of the car and attacked Ramalingam’s hands with sharp weapons before fleeing.

A greviously injured Ramalingam was rushed to the Kumbakonam government hospital. He was later referred to Thanjavur Medical College Hospital where he was declared brought dead.

Subsequently a case of murder was registered at the Tiruvidaimarudur police station.