India, Sept. 7 -- A functionary of the ruling TVK was hacked to death by an armed gang in Besant Nagar in Chennai, police said on Sunday, with the murder drawing criticism from the Opposition over the State's law and order situation.

Police have arrested at least five persons in connection with the murder so far, officials said. The deceased, identified as Kannan, was chased and attacked with machetes on Saturday night, police said. According to police, Kannan was a history-sheeter with a criminal record. CCTV footage of the attack has since surfaced and been widely shared. Preliminary investigation suggested previous enmity as the likely motive, pointing to a revenge killing, police sources said. The murder drew immediate political crit...