Thiruvananthapuram: Two DYFI leaders were hacked to death by a group of armed men at Venjarammoodu in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday night.

The deceased have been identified as Mithilaj (32) of Ozhivupara, Vembayam in Thevalakkad and Haque Mohammad (28), a resident of Kalunkinmukham. Thempammoodu. Another person Shahin, who was with them, escaped with minor injuries.

The local leaders were attacked with sharp edged weapons at Thempammoodu in Venjaramoodu in Thiruvananthapuram district at around 11.30pm, while they were going to Mithilaj's home on a motorbike with.

Mithilaj and Haque suffered serious injuries and fell to the ground. Shahin ran away and escaped.

Mithilaj, who was critically injured, died on the spot. The injured Haque was rushed to the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital, but he could not be saved.

The two bodies have been kept at the Medical College Hospital mortuary.

Launching an investigation, police took three persons into custody in connection with the incident. Police said it is suspected that the rivalry between the CPI(M) and the Congress was the reason for the attack.

Haque is the Kalunkinmukham unit president of the DYFI, while Mithilaj is a member of the Thevalakkad unit.

The CPI(M) and the DYFI alleged that Youth Congress workers were behind the attack on their activists on the eve of Thiruvonam day.

Terming it a "heinous attack", CPI(M) state secretariat member K N Balagopal alleged the Congress leadership was responsible for the killing of DYFI activists.

"Two DYFI workers were brutally killed on the eve of Thiruvonam day. It is evident that the Congress, instead of encouraging democratic discourse, is encouraging violence against CPI(M)-DYFI workers in the state. We strongly condemn this heinous attack on DYFI activists," Balagopal said.

Clashes between the CPM and the Congress are often reported from Thempammoodu.

A police team is camping in the area following the incident.