Salem: A history-sheeter was hacked to death by a six-member rival gang in full public view in Salem on Friday, in what appeared to be a daring act of revenge killing.
Police said Vijay alias Vijaya Kumar, 40, from Gandhi Colony was reading newspaper in a public place, when the gang members surrounded and hacked him to death using sickles and knife at around 9 am.
Vijay died on the spot, while the assailants escaped in two-wheelers. On receiving information, the Karipatty police rushed to the spot and sent the body for post-mortem at the government hospital.
Police said Vijaya Kumar has been involved in two murders and 11 attempts to murder cases. As he was the prime accused in the murder of Kumar, another rowdy element from the same neighbourhood, police suspect that members of the rival gang could have murdered him in an act of revenge.
Meanwhile, the family members of Vijaya Kumar had pointed out that some of his own associates might have killed him.
A police team led by superintendent of police P. Rajan inspected the scene of crime and further investigations are on.
Tension gripped Gandhi Colony neighbourhood following the ghastly murder that took place in full public view.
