Pudukai farmer upset over loss of trees commits suicide

According to police, for the past 15 years, Thiruselvam (45) of Neduvasal had been cultivating teak, coconut and casuarina trees in his 30-acre land. When cyclone Gaja struck the district recently, all the crops raised by Thiruselvam were destroyed.

On seeing the damage to his field, he became dejected. On Sunday night, Thiruselvam had consumed the pesticide used for coconut trees and collapsed.

On seeing him battling for life, family members rushed him to Peravurani GH. Later, he was shifted to a private hospital in Pattukkottai, where he succumbed without responding to treatment.

On information, Health Minister C Vijayabaskar and MDMK General Secretary Vaiko paid homage to the mortal remains of Thiruselvam at Alangudi GH.

In another incident, Chinnaiah (50), of Chittangadu near Tiruvarangulam in Pudukkottai, who was repairing the tiled house that collapsed after cyclone Gaja, on Sunday, suddenly slipped from the roof. Chinnaiah, who sustained serious injuries, was rushed to Pudukkottai GH where he succumbed on Monday.