Elderly woman murdered near Mayiladuthurai

A 75-year-old woman was allegedly beaten to death while trying to intervene in a quarrel between her daughter and son-in-law at Kandamangalam village near Mayiladuthurai on Sunday. The son-in-law, who allegedly attacked the two women, is reported to be absconding and the police are searching for him.

According to the police, Panneerselvam, 60, a daily wage labourer from Komal village under the Palaiyur police station limits, had longstanding disputes with his wife Baby Rani, 45, who had been frequently staying at her mother Vasantha’s house in Kandamangalam.

On Sunday morning, Panneerselvam allegedly picked a quarrel with his wife and attacked her with the wooden handle of a spade, causing severe head injuries. When Vasantha intervened, she was assaulted and died on the spot.

Neighbours rushed to the house but the accused fled the spot. Baby Rani was shifted to the Government Hospital in Mayiladuthurai where she is undergoing treatment.

Palaiyur police sent Vasantha’s body to the Tiruvarur Government Medical College and Hospital for post-mortem. A case has been registered and a search is on to apprehend the accused.