Bhadrak: A woman was hacked to death by her husband over a family feud in front of polling booth No-4 at Muktadihi village of Kaupur panchayat under Rural police limits in Bhadrak district, today.

The deceased woman was identified as Rashmirekha Behera, who belonged to Jiragambhira village. The accused man was identified as Prabhakar Rout.

According to a police source, the couple was often indulging in altercations over a family matter. Hence, Rashmirekha had been staying in her paternal house along with her parents at Jiragambhira village for the last several months. She had come today to Muktadihi village along with her paternal uncle to cast her vote. Things took an ugly turn when the young woman was attacked with a sharp weapon. She sustained grievous injuries in the incident and collapsed on the ground.

Some locals rescued Rashmirekha from a pool of blood and rushed her to a hospital for treatment in critical condition. However, doctors at the health facility declared the woman ‘dead’.

Tension flared up in nearby areas following the incident after news of the woman’s death spread. On being informed, Rural police reached the spot and initiated a probe into the unnatural death.

Police have detained Prabhakar and he is being interrogated by a probe team.