Chennai, Feb 9 (IANS): In a scene straight out of a movie, a functionary of Tamil Nadu's ruling AIADMK not only resisted an attack by a gang but snatched a machete from one of the assailants as he chased and attacked them in turn.

The incident occurred on Monday at Ayapakam near Chennai when a gang of four encircled M. Murthy on a road and attacked him.

Murthy, a leader of AIADMK affiliated union and a former councillor, showed courage to resist the attack. He snatched a machete from one of the attackers and began attacking them.

Taken aback, the attackers ran for safety. Murthy chased them and injured one of them, identified as Prabhakaran.

Police reached the spot and took Prabhakaran to the government-run Kilpauk Medical College Hospital while Murthy was admitted to a private hospital.

A case was registered against Prabhakaran and his aides S. Vijayabhaskar, S. Raju and M. Muthu at Thirumullaivoyal police station.

Police investigations revealed that Prabhakaran, along his friends, hatched a plan to kill Murthy to take revenge for his helping a man who had earlier attacked Prabhakaran to come out on bail. A police officer said Prabhakaran and Murthy had old enmity among themselves and Murthy's move to help the attacker of Prabhakaran come out on bail had further angered him.

Police registered no case against Murthy as he acted in self-defence.