The probe into the murder of a Hindu outfit activist in Coimbatore was today transferred to CB-CID police even as several BJP workers and leaders were detained here for trying to stage a protest over the killing.
Police said the investigation into the September 22 murder of 36-year-old Hindu Munnani functionary C Sasikumar has been transferred to the Crime-Branch CID wing.
BJP's Tamil Nadu unit President Tamilisai Sounderrajan and National Secretary H Raja were among those detained here for trying to stage a protest without permission over the killing, police said.
The party leaders with their supporters tried to stage the protest in Egmore area against the killing of Sasikumar, who was hacked to death by unknown assailants, without taking permission from authorities concerned and were later detained, they said.
The murder had triggered violent protests in Coimbatore, while several BJP senior leaders had condemned the incident, saying that of late Hindu outfit leaders were being targeted in the state.
Calling the murder of Sasikumar as "undoubtedly a terrorist activity", Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan had asked police to probe whether the assailants had any link to terrorists in Pakistan.
Raja had yesterday slammed the police for their "failure" to nab the culprits and sought a CBI probe into the murder.
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Meanwhile, the ashes of the slain Hindu Munnani functionary were immersed in the River Noyyal at Chadivayal on the outskirts of Coimbatore today.
Unlike the funeral procession, which witnessed violence and arson, the ceremony was a low-key affair confined to only relatives and a handful leaders of Hindu outfits, with the police keeping strict vigil.
BJP, which had announced state-wide protests against the killing, decided to not to stage any demonstration in and around the city.
CB-CID ADGP Karan Singh inspected the scene of the crime on the outskirts of Coimbatore.
He also held discussions with senior police officials, police said.
