An AIADMK woman councillor and her husband were allegedly hacked to death by a seven-member gang at a crowded place near the Mariamman temple here on Wednesday.
The gang reportedly trailed 21st ward municipality councillor Thangapandiammal (45) and her husband S Nagarajan (50), who were travelling on a TVS Scooty, from their house on Mela Street, in a TATA Sumo. The couple left their house around 7 pm to offer prayers at the Mariamman temple, police said.
Once near the temple, the gang rammed into the two-wheeler. They then surrounded the couple and hacked them to death.
Thangapandiammal died on the spot.
Policemen who were present at the outpost located close to the crime scene, tried to apprehend the gang members, but they escaped in their vehicle. Passers-by, who tried to block the vehicle, were also threatened. Though the couple were rushed to the Virudhunagar GH, doctors declared them brought dead.
A tense situation prevailed in the area. Commercial establishments in the locality downed their shutters.