CHENNAI: Two youths were hacked to death in Padunelli village near Kancheepuram in the early hours of Monday, following a dispute that broke out during a cultural programme organised as part of a temple festival.The incident has triggered tension in the village, with residents alleging that the police failed to take adequate preventive action after the initial altercation.The incident occurred during the festival of the Ponniamman temple in Padunelli on Sunday night.During a cultural programme, an argument reportedly broke out between two groups from the same community over a dispute involving the performance of gana songs.Police personnel who reached the spot reportedly pacified both groups before leaving the area.Later, around midnight, Neelakandan, 25, and Chandru, 24, both from Padunelli, were sitting at a vacant plot near their homes when a group of unidentified men arrived and attacked them with sickles.The two suffered severe injuries and died on the spot.Police recovered the bodies and sent them to Chengalpattu Government Medical College Hospital for postmortem. A hunt has been launched for the assailants.Residents alleged that the killings could have been prevented had the police taken stronger preventive measures and acted against those involved in the initial altercation. Police have stepped up security in Padunelli to prevent any further violence.Police are investigating the motive and the identities of those involved in the double murder.