Trouble erupted when Govindaraj, the neighbour of the newly purchased plot demanded that he be handed over 100 sq ft of land. When Hari remonstrated that he owed Govindaraj nothing as revenue staff had measured it properly, Govindaraj approached the village elders Durairaj, his son Kamaraj and former elders Deva Kannan, Krishnamurthy and Vadivelu. They called Hari for a parley and ordered him to hand over the 100 sq ft to Govindaraj and told him that Revenue Department writ will not be valid in the village and only their words mattered. As Hari refused to budge, they sent messages to all houses ordering that Hari and his family, including his aged parents be ostracised.

Talking to DT Next Hari said, “We were ostracised from Sunday last and hence complained to the SP. The missive landed at the Umarabad police station where we have been called for an inquiry.”

Meanwhile, the issue took a serious turn when Hari’s mother attempted suicide. She was saved in time, but relatives blocked the Vadaseri-Umrabad Road resulting in both sides being ordered to come to the police station.

Meanwhile, a group, owing allegiance to the traditional elders, gathered to decide on what action should be taken against those who participated in the road blockade.