Auto driver hacked to death

An auto driver was hacked to death by a gang of six men near Shantala Silk House junction late Saturday night.

The dead Naveen Kumar, 26,  hailed from Mandya and was a resident of Sunkadakatte. He was standing near the junction when about six men came in two autos, butchered him to death with lethal weapons and fled the scene.

Passersby,  who witnessed the murder, informed police and rushed a grievously injured Naveen to a nearby hospital. However, he was declared brought dead.

Police said two of the assailants, identified as Anand and Raghu, had a tiff with Naveen over passenger fare.

Raghu also hails from Mandya and is said to have served a jail term. Anand and Raghu are absconding.