Suicide bid by farmers in Tiruvannamalai villages

Revenue officials with police protection undertook a survey at Manmalai, Murayaru, Pallipatu, Anthanur and S Nachipattu and lay boundary stone to demarcate lands required for the corridor.

Angered by this, villagers pulled out the boundary stones and threw them away. Objecting to their action, revenue officials threatened them with legal action and warned them that they would be arrested.

At Murayaru village, Manikandan, a farmer, attempted suicide by jumping into a farm well. On information, police swung into action and rescued him. Four women who resorted to similar extreme measure were also saved by the cops.

The rescued women warned that they would again attempt or commit suicide, if the government acquired their land, farm houses and wells, which were their main source of livelihood.

In Melavanakambadi, farmer Palanisamy and his wife Sorna tried to commit self-immolation, but their attempts were foiled by the police. The police advised the villagers to express their opposition through a petition to the collector and not prevent officials from discharging their duty.

At Se Nachipattu village, revenue officials besieged by farmers and their family members. As the locals pulled out and threw away the boundary stone, the officials were forced to suspend the survey.

In Manmalai village, four farmers, Ilango, Pachayappan, Palani and Shanthi, attempted self-immolation and all the four were arrested.