Two men were hacked to death by a gang during a temple festival at Padunelli village in Kancheepuram district late on Sunday (August 16, 2026) night.

The deceased have been identified as Neelakandan, 26, and Chandru, 26, both residents of the village.

The police have arrested one person named R. Bhagawati and detained two others.

According to the police, a quarrel broke out at the festival after a group of intoxicated men insisted that film songs be played. Though police personnel intervened and removed the men from the spot, an unidentified gang later attacked Chandru and Vicky with sharp weapons before fleeing the scene.

The incident triggered tension in the village, with relatives of the victims confronting the police and alleging that the attack occurred despite security personnel being deployed at the festival. Police officials pacified the relatives and sent the bodies to Chengalpattu Government Hospital for post-mortem examination.

Special teams have been formed to trace and arrest the suspects. The police have, so far, identified three persons whose possible involvement is being verified.

Investigators are also examining CCTV footage from the area and probing the motive behind the double murder.