The victim, Kathiresan (55), a farmer, had some dispute with one Pandi of Kallupatti village, they said.
He was herding his cattle back to his house, along with his wife, when he waswaylaid and attacked by the ganglast evening.
He died on the spot, police said.
His wife, who was injured, has been admitted to a hospital where her condition is stated to be stable.
A case has been registered and a hunt is on for the assailants, police added.