Man killed over dispute in sand smuggling, 1 held

Sources said Soundarajan, a resident of Kangeyampettai village, transported the sand through his bullock cart and sold it for a minimal price.

Upset over him selling sand for a less price, Kannan (52), who belonged to same village, bore a long-standing grudge against Soundarajan. Kannan smuggled the sand on his tractor and sold it for a high price.

The murder took place late on Thursday, when the duo was mining sand in the Kollidam river bed. What started as a verbal altercation between them gradually escalated into fisticuffs, following which Kannan took out a knife that he concealed in his dress and stabbed Soundarajan. The latter collapsed to the ground, while the assailant fled the spot. Locals who noticed Soundarajan battling for his life rushed him to the Ariyalur GH. However, he succumbed to his injuries on Friday morning despite receiving treatment.

The Vikkiramangalam police registered a case and arrested Kannan, who was hiding in Dalmiapuram.