Woman slits her throat against land acquisition

As part of their efforts to conduct a land survey, revenue department officials erected boundary stones on land belonging to the Ellaiamman temple in Erumaivetti village.

Agitated over the temple losing its mandapam and pond due to the road project, villagers had a verbal altercation with officials. Despite the opposition, the latter continued to erect boundary stones.

The officials then entered the property of Ramesh, a farmer. Ramesh, his wife Meenakshi and daughter Devadarshini threatened to immolate themselves if the officials proceeded to erect stones on their land without permission.

Stating that they would lose three farm wells due to the project, Ramesh demanded to know whether cargo traffic was more important than human lives.

As officials refused to budge, Meenakshi poured kerosene on self but was prevented from immolation by the police personnel who accompanied the officials.

Devadarshini also tried to slit her throat using a blade. However, the police immediately intervened and took away the blade from her hand. They tied a wet cloth around the minor cut wound which Devadarshini inflicted on self.

As a result, the government officials were forced to leave the place without erecting the stones.