Chennai: A 45-year-old AIADMK functionary was hacked in broad daylight by a gang near his residence in Neelankarai on Monday.
Zakir Hussain, deputy secretary of Amma Peravai in the Okkiyam Thoraipakkam area, was attacked by a gang, which came in an autorickshaw. The man swooned to the ground and was taken to a private hospital in Adyar.
He was later shifted to the government hospital in the evening where he is receiving treatment, said the police. Eight persons surrendered at the Saidapet court later in the evening in connection with the murder attempt. Zakir Hussain was also into the real estate business and a business rivalry over acquiring land led to the murder attempt, the Neelankarai police said.
Around 1.30 pm, Zakir Hussain, a resident of Kasturibai Nagar in Neelankarai, had left home in his two-wheeler when the gang pounced on him. They had parked themselves at the end of the street and took him by surprise, attacking him while he was riding the bike, Suresh (30), a resident of the area, said.
A relative of Zakir Hussain, Thurabu, who reached the spot in a few minutes after the incident, said Zakir had cut injuries on his neck and chest.
Investigations revealed that Zakir Hussain had a dispute over grabbing a piece of land at Thoraipakkam with another land dealer, Mohanraj, which resulted in the murder attempt.
Mohanraj also works in the cine field and was involved in land grabbing. Police sources said Monday’s attempt was a reaction to a similar attempt on Mohanraj a fortnight ago. Mohanraj and seven of his associates surrendered at the Saidapet court in the evening.
