Two Youths Hacked to Death After Temple Festival Clash in Padunelli Village

In Padunelli village near Kancheepuram, two youths were hacked to death in the early hours of Monday following an altercation that broke out during a temple festival.

The victims have been identified as 25-year-old Neelakandan and 24-year-old Chandru, both residents of Padunelli.

The incident took place in the backdrop of the Ponniamman temple festival held in Padunelli on Sunday night. During a cultural programme organised as part of the temple celebrations, an argument erupted between two groups belonging to the same community over a dispute regarding the performance of gana songs.

Police personnel arrived at the spot following the initial commotion and pacified both groups. The police subsequently left the area after bringing the situation under control.

Later, around midnight, Neelakandan and Chandru were sitting at a vacant plot located near their residences in the village. A group of unidentified men arrived at the location and attacked both of them using sickles.

The two youths sustained severe injuries from the assault and died on the spot.

Police personnel later recovered the bodies of Neelakandan and Chandru from the scene and transported them to the Chengalpattu Government Medical College Hospital for postmortem examination.

The brutal double murder has sparked tension across Padunelli village. Local residents have alleged that police personnel failed to take adequate preventive action following the initial altercation at the cultural programme to avert further violence.