Chennai: In a shocking incident near Madurantakam, a town secretary of TTV Dhinakaran led Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) was hacked to death by a six-member gang in the early hours of Monday.

The victim, Balamurugan (41), a resident of Thenpakkam village, was a town secretary of Achrapakam town panchayat and was running a tea stall in the locality.





According to police, Balamurugan used to open his tea stall daily at around 4.30 in the morning. “On Monday morning, when Balamurugan along with his two employees was in the shop, six unidentified men came in two motorcycles and stormed into the tea stall with machetes in search of Balamurugan,” the police said.

Sensing danger, Balamurugan took to his heels. However, the gang chased him through the entire market to Achrapakkam Main Road. On hearing his cries, other vendors and shopkeepers in the market came to help Balamurugan, but the gang threatened them with weapons. “The gang caught Balamurugan on the road and brutally hacked him. He died on the spot amid a pool of blood,” the police added.

On information, the Acharapakkam police rushed to the spot and sent the body to Chengalpet government hospital for post-mortem. A case has been registered and the police have launched a hunt to arrest the gang.

The police suspect the murder might have taken place over political vengeance. “Balamurugan had an enmity with another group over conducting local temple liturgy,” the police said.

Soon after the brutal murder, all shops in Acharapakkam market were closed. Kancheepuram police have formed a special team to nab the murderers.