Tirunelveli, (Tamil Nadu), March 3 Two people, including a migrant worker from Odisha, were allegedly murdered by a nine-member gang in Nanguneri, police said.
Five people were injured in this attack, they added.
The deceased were identified as John Mark (47), a resident of Perumpathu village, and 57-year-old Srinath Gadda from Odisha.
Top government sources said "some of the assailants" have been traced and arrested later in the day.
Those who were injured and admitted to the district government hospital are A Nelson, P Prabhakaran, V Ramaswamy, A Ganesan, and S Sasikumar.
"The police are taking strict action. They have traced and arrested some people. They are conducting a detailed investigation," the official told
The police said the victims were at a tea shop on Monday night when the nine-member gang, travelling on three motorcycles, allegedly attacked them with a sickle and other weapons, after which John Mark and Gadda died on the spot.
Responding to a query, the official said, "(Among the injured) two are in critical condition at the hospital. We have alerted medical teams, and they are providing all the necessary support."
The police formed six special teams late on Monday night and are conducting an investigation by collecting CCTV footage and other data, he said. "It is a sensitive case. The police will take strict action," he said, without further elaborating.
On Tuesday, the locals staged a road blockade in the region demanding that the perpetrators be arrested. Police officials, including District Superintendent of Police Prasannakumar, pacified the protesters.
The protesters warned the police that they would boycott the upcoming election if they didn't arrest the perpetrators. "We don't know the reason behind this incident... we demand that the police arrest the accused, or we will boycott the election," a resident said.
Following the incident, security has been beefed up in the area. Meanwhile, the Opposition AIADMK slammed the ruling DMK government, terming the incident "a consequence of the negligent attitude of the DMK government".
The Opposition also asked whether the DMK government intended "to keep this region in a perpetual state of tension".
Actor-politician Vijay-led TVK criticised the government for the incident, saying, "In an administration that says it competes with the world, where is the guarantee for the lives of the general public?"
"Certainly, the DMK government, which does not think about the welfare of people or their safety, will be removed in the upcoming Assembly polls," the TVK said in a social media post.
Meanwhile, PMK Founder S Ramadoss criticised the DMK government, alleging that since the reason behind the attack was not known, the attack might be carried out under 'ganja influence'.
"The gang that is involved in the attack must be arrested immediately. The government should give a compensation of Rs 1 crore to the families of the deceased and Rs 10 lakh to those injured," he said in a statement.