A tahsildar was brutally attacked and his hands chopped off by unidentified men here, police said today. Murugesan, who was in charge of regulating local television networks and functioning of the Government Cable TV Corporation here, was heading to a bus-stand when he was attacked, police said.

He has been admitted to a Government Hospital in Madurai. Police said the Cable TV network in the district was allegedly managed by some rowdy elements, who were angry with the tahsildar for being strict and not allowing them to collect more than the amount stipulated by the government.

The District Collector also had received several complaints from the public that the TV operators were collecting more than Rs. 110 in many areas instead of Rs. 70 fixed by the government.

A case has been registered against the culprits, police said.