MADURAI: The State treasurer of Dalit Panthers of India (DPI) Pandi (35) of Mudakkathan village within Koodal Nagar police station limits in Madurai district, was hacked to death by a five-member gang on Monday.

According to the police, Pandi was on his way to the fields, early on Monday morning when a five-member gang surrounded him and attacked him with lethal weapons, killing him on the spot.

In a swift operation, the district police swung into action and their preliminary investigations led to the arrest of one Kamaraj (25), said to be a friend of the deceased, also of the same village. A hunt was on for the other accused identified as Soman (23), Manikandan (23), Vellayan (24) and Sanjeevi (24) all from Mudakathan village.

It is learnt that there was previous enmity between the five and Pandi. The wanted men are also facing other cases.

DPI State organiser Thirumavalavan, MLA, who arrived here on Monday morning to participate in some pre-scheduled programmes, expressed shock over the murder.

Pandi's body was cremated amidst tight security, DPI partymen said.