Chennai: In a shocking incident, a 49-year-old woman, who was standing in a polling booth to cast her ballot in the Vikravandi Assembly bypoll, was stabbed in the neck by her first husband on Wednesday.
The incident,which took place in broad daylight and in the presence of police personnel on security duty, occurred at the T.Kosapalayam polling booth, reports received at the police headquarters here said.
The woman, Kanimozhi, was living separately for several years after getting separated from her first husband, Elumalai (52), following a domestic feud.
Elumalai was released from jail only yesterday after his arrest in a double murder case, the reports said.
After searching for her, Elumalai came to know that she had come to her native village today to vote in the bye-elections, when he attacked her with a knife.
Talking to TV channels, Kanimozhi said she had come to her native place today to cast her vote in the bypoll. She was standing in the queue in the polling booth along with her sister-in-law, when Elumalai, who was standing in the men's queue, suddenly pulled out a knife and stabbed her in the neck.
When he tried to fee, police personnel on duty immediately overpowered him. He was then arrested and taken to Kanchanur police station.
The woman, who suffered a minor injury was rushed to Anniyur Government hospital.
After getting first aid, she came back and cast her ballot.
Though the Villupuram district administration has declared dry days for three days from July 8 to 10 in view of the bypoll, Elumalai was said to be under the influence of alcohol.
Tension prevailed in booth for a while following the incident.