In a gruesome murder in a busy residential neighbourhood in the city, a 23-year-old youth was hacked to death by an unidentified gang in full public glare.
The shocking incident took place at around 5.30 p.m on Vallalar Salai, a prime locality in the city.
The deceased was identified as Chandran (22) of Jeeva Nagar.
He was living with his mother and sister in Jeeva Nagar and recently joined as an air-conditioning mechanic in a shop at Vallalar Salai.
According to eye-witness accounts, the victim was standing near the shop when two unidentified persons came in a bike.
One kept the throttle of bike up while the other alighted and slashed Chandran relentlessly using a long knife till he slumped to the ground. The duo brandished knives to deter onlookers from intervening. Shopkeepers in the area downed the shutters in panic.
On being alerted, the Grand Bazaar Police rushed to the spot and recovered the body.
“The victim was an accused in the murder of George a resident of a neighbouring locality. This could be a retaliatory murder,” said a police official.
When contacted, Omvir Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police said that an investigation has been initiated.
“We have got some leads about the culprits and they will be nabbed soon,” he said.
