Belagavi: A 31-year-old man was hacked to death by an 11-member gang near the Hidkal reservoir in Belagavi district on Wednesday evening, allegedly over a long-standing rivalry, police said.The victim was identified as Pascal Hriday Raj Muthuswamy, a resident of Manikawadi village in Gokak taluk. According to police, Pascal was at Hidkal reservoir with a few friends when the gang allegedly intercepted him and launched a deadly attack using sharp weapons. He succumbed to severe injuries at the scene.Preliminary investigations indicate that the murder was the fallout of an old enmity. After carrying out the attack, the assailants fled the spot.Police have identified suspects Gangappa Naik, Rahul, Nagesh Naik and Prajwal, while efforts are under way to verify the identities of the remaining accused involved in the crime.The Yamakanmardi police have detained seven suspects for questioning in connection with the murder and launched a manhunt to trace the others. Further investigation is in progress to establish the exact motive and sequence of events leading to the attack.
