MADURAI: A man from the Thevar community was allegedly hacked to death by a dalit gang at Melapattam in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu on Monday morning to avenge the murder of another man.

Tension prevailed in Melapattam village following the murder of Arumuganayanar (38) and bus services from and to the village had been suspended, police said.

Arumuganayanar was found hacked to death near a channel in the morning. Sources said he was allegedly murdered by a gang to avenge the murder of N Marimuthu, a dalit. Marimuthu was found dead on October 29 this year.

Arumuganayanar was the son of the village head and had been using his influence to smuggle sand from the region. This was opposed by the dalits led by Marimuthu, following which he was murdered. Another dalit, Mahesh, had also been murdered.

The Tirunelveli taluk police registered a case and were investigating.

