Three of a family end life over huge debts

The police said Vijayakumar (60), his wife Anu Radha (55), daughters Arthy (22) and Ashika (20) hailing from Choolaimedu came to Salem on Wednesday. “The family stayed in a lodge near the new bus stand. On Thursday, Arthy called up the reception staff over the phone and pleaded for help,” the police said.

The panicked staff rushed to the room and found the couple and their younger daughter dead while Arthy was battling for life. She was immediately taken to Salem GH, while the bodies of others were sent for autopsy. A suicide note found in their room revealed that the family took the extreme step due to huge debts, the police said.

“They all consumed beverages laced with insecticide. While others died, Arthy tried to slit her wrist with blade after the poison-laced drink failed to snuff out her life,” police said. Vijayakumar was into the catering business, they added.

In another incident in Erode district, seven members of a family, including five women, attempted to commit self-immolation at Collectorate, demanding compensation for coconut trees grown by them on poramboke land.

The family members claimed that the government acquired 4.5 acres of poramboke land in their possession two years ago after promising to pay compensation for the coconut trees raised by them there. The family said that they decided to end life as they haven’t received any compensation.