ATHOLI: A search is on for the youth who tried to stab a woman to death after she refused a marriage proposal. Mashud (33), who lives in a rented house near Atholi Co-operative Hospital, hurled a knife at the woman. The Perambra native lady, who lives in a rented house at Madathil Kandy near Atholi Co-operative Hospital, was injured in the attack. She is undergoing treatment at Modakkallur Medical College Hospital.

The incident took place at 7.30 pm on Thursday. The woman is an employee of a shop in Athani. Mashood was a worker at a fish shop at Athani Kongannur Road junction. In the meantime, he became friends with the woman. Masood then proposed marriage but the woman refused. This was followed by the attack.

According to a neighbour, the woman had placed her scooter in front of her house and was walking when Masood swung a knife at the woman's neck from behind. Hospital authorities said the woman was out of danger. Her husband is an expat. They have two daughters, aged 13 and 7. On the complaint of the woman, the Atholi police registered a case of attempt to murder against Mashood.