In a suspected honour killing, a three-member gang hacked to death a 45-year-old widow for arranging the marriage of her daughter to a man from outside their community at Nonbakulam village in the Sayalkudi police limits on Friday night.
Police said Poongodi (45), the widow was sleeping in her house with her daughter Nagavalli (20), who was living with her after she was delivered of a baby 45 days ago. The gang members, led by Manikadan, a relative of the deceased, attacked them with deadly weapons.
Poongodi died on the spot and Nagavalli, who suffered cut injuries, was admitted to the Government headquarters hospital here, police said. The assailants spared the child, police said.
Police said Poongodi’s brother in-laws, Ganesan and Marimuthu, had warned her against getting her daughter married to a man from outside the community (non-Dalit) after a love affair.
Ganesan fought with Poongodi two days ago, protesting against Kannan, Nagavalli’s husband, visiting the house. Kannan, who is running a photo studio in Sayalkudi visited the house to see his wife and child, police said.
Manikandan, his nephew, entered Poongodi’s house and killed her and fled the scene, police said.
Police have detained Ganesan and his brother Marimuthu for questioning.
