DMK MLA arrested over land dispute with AMMK worker

A land dispute between an Opposition DMK MLA and an AMMK worker took an ugly turn late on Saturday evening with the former's father opening three rounds of fire on the latter's car at Sengadu village in Tiruporur in neighbouring Chengalpet district of Tamil Nadu.

On a complaint from AMMK worker Thandavamurthy, police today filed five cases against DMK Tiruporur MLA L Idhayavarman, his father Lakshmipathi and others.

Police, who have seized two pistols and the car said to have been used by the MLA, formed four special teams to nab Idhayavarman, who was later arrested this evening by tracking his cell phone signals.

The dispute pertained to a common path leading to a large space of government land behind Idhayavarman's house, which was said to have been allegedly encroached by Thandavamurthy's friend Kumar for his real estate business.

A wordy duel ensued When Kumar, Idhayavarman and others visited the land in a car last evening to make a pathway--via the land in which the MLA's house was built--leading to the government land.

Police said the dispute between the two parties was over a common path to reach Kumar's land through Lakshmipathy's property.

Things turned physical when Idhayavarman's father and a few of his men, objected to their visit and surrounded the car to attack them.

In the scuffle, Lakshmipathy and two others were allegedly attacked with a sickle by Kumar and his supporters, following which he opened three rounds of fire from his son's licensed pistol.

When Lakshmipathy attempted to fire again, Thandavamurthy, Kumar and others fled the spot in the case.

In his complaint Thandavamurthy claimed that Lakshmipathi fired three rounds at their car. While one of the bullets hit the bonnet, other damaged the car's rear glass panels.

A passerby Suresh, who is residing in the locality, was hit by the third bullet and he sustained minor injuries.

Reports also said two vehicles were torched in the incident.

The injured Lakshmipathy and two of his men and Suresh were admitted to a hospital from where, Suresh went missing.

Police suspect that he might been abducted by the MLA's men as he was said to be the key witness in the case.

Lakshmipathy later told the police that he opened fire in self defence as Kumar and his men brandished a pistol during the scuffle.