The second phase of polling for local bodies in Tamilnadu saw post-poll violence resulting in a murder in the southern Tuticorin district and the death of a woman candidate due to heart attack. The polling, held in 27 districts, barring the nine newly carvedones, percentage was higher as against 76.19 pc reported during the first phase on Friday.
Reports received here said, moments after the polling ended at 1700 hrs, a person was hacked to death and another was seriously injured by an unidentified gang near a booth at Mettur near Ottapidaram in Tuticorin district late on Monday evening.
Police said a three-member-gang attacked Masanasamy (55) and his accomplice Mariyappan with sickles killing the latter on the spot. Masanasamy sustained multiple cut injuries in the attack and was admitted to the Government Medical College Hospital.
Masanasamy, said to be a member of Rajini Makkal Mandram is the husband of Latha (50), an Independent candidate contesting for the Mettur Panchayat President post. Political rivalry was suspected behind the murder. District Superintendent of Police Arun Balagopalan visited the spot and held an inquiry.
Another report said that a woman independent candidate, M Malliga (42), who was contesting as a ward member in Neduvasal West Panchayat in Pudukottai district died of cardiac arrest.
