A brutal daylight murder has sent shockwaves through Tamil Nadu's Tirunelveli after a 38-year-old plumber was hacked to death by a group of armed men, with police suspecting the killing stemmed from an old rivalry.

The victim, identified as Avudaiyappan, lived on Manthiramurthy Street in Parayadi near Tirunelveli town. A married father of two, he was attacked on July 12 near the Sudalaimadan temple along the Tirunelveli-Sankarankoil road.

According to the preliminary investigation, three men arrived on a two-wheeler, intercepted Avudaiyappan in broad daylight and repeatedly slashed him across the face with a machete before speeding away.

He collapsed at the spot and succumbed to his injuries. People passing through the area spotted the blood-soaked victim and alerted the police.

Soon after, angry relatives and residents gathered at the scene and refused to allow officers to remove the body.

They staged a protest near the Kottai Adi burial ground, demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible. The agitation brought traffic on the Tirunelveli-Sankarankoil road to a standstill for more than an hour.

Police later persuaded the protesters to disperse before shifting the body to Tirunelveli Government Medical College Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

Sniffer dogs were also deployed at the crime scene as investigators searched for clues.

A murder case has been registered, and police have formed five special teams to track down the attackers.

Two suspects are currently being questioned as the investigation continues. Officers said prior enmity is the primary angle being examined.