Caste outfit leader hacked to death in Chennai

Chennai, Feb 25 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu unit President of Yadhava Mahasabha, a caste-based outfit, was murdered by a four member gang in the city today.

Tension prevailed at Tiruvottriyur area in North Chennai following the murder in broad daylight.

Police sources said the murder was a fall out of political enmity during the recent Chennai Corporation elections.

The deceased, Pandimani 35, had allegedly supported the PMK candidate, who had contested against the ruling DMK candidate Kalaivanan, in the civic polls, the sources added.

Though Kalaivanan had won the polls, his brother Mahesh had allegedly committed the murder to seek revenge for supporting the PMK candidate.

Pandimani, residing at Chinna Mettupalayam in Tiruvottriyur, had come out of his house to go to a nearby shop, when thef four men attacked him.

The Yadhava Mahasabha leader raised an alarm and ran for his life. However, the gang, chased him and inflicted severe cut injuries on his body.

Pandimani was declared dead after he was rushed to the Government Stanley Hospital. He is survived by his wife, a daughter and a son, aged four and two.

Several shops downed the shutters fearing backlash and senior police officials rushed to the spot.

Police pickets were posted in the area to prevent any retaliatory attack by the supporters of Pandimani.

Police have launched a manhunt to apprehend the assailants.

UNI