A young couple was brutally attacked in public by a gang carrying sickles and machetes, in Udumalpet, Tirupur. The husband was killed in the attack and the wife is battling for her lift at the hospital.

Shankar (22) and Kausalya (19), natives of Palani, were waiting at the Uduamalpet bus stand, when a group on motorcycle arrived and attacked them with sickles and machetes. Before anybody could react, the attackers fled the scene.

Police, with the help of the general public, rushed the grievously injured couple to the Government Hospital, but Shankar died en route. Kausalya, whose condition was diagnosed as critical, was undergoing treatment.

Caste-based rivalry is suspected to be the reason for the assault. The couple, belonging to different castes, had got married against the consent of the families, about eight months ago. Police suspect that the gang was sent by the girl’s family.

Investigations are on.