VELLORE: The Pernambut police are on the lookout for a 45-year-old man for hacking his wife and four of his neighbours with a sickle, including a 12-year-old boy, during the early hours of Wednesday. Of the five injured, a couple is in critical condition.
According to the police, Dasarathan of J J Nagar in Pernambut suspected the fidelity of his wife Deepa (33). The couple, who have two children, would have frequent fights at home over this issue.
At about 4 am on Wednesday, Dasarathan picked up a quarrel with his wife on the same issue and hacked her using a sickle. When their neighbours heard her shout for help, they rushed into the house and tried to pacify the couple.
Enraged by the neighbours interfering in the matter, Dasarathan, who was reportedly under the influence of alcohol, attacked the neighbours as well, with the sickle.
In the melee, Manoharan (45), his wife Saroja (40), Selvaraj (45) and Nirmal (12) sustained injuries.
While Nirmal was treated in the government hospital at Pernambut, the four others were referred to Government Vellore Medical College Hospital at Adukkamparai.
Police said Manoharan and his wife are in a critical condition.
A case has been registered at the Pernambut police station. The police have launched a search to find Dasarathan.