Immolation bid by 9-member group over poor water supply

Police said Subramani, a daily wager from Thammanaickenpatty along with eight of his relatives took the extreme step as their locality did not receive water for the last nine days. They also sought action against Srinivasan, a panchayat staff entrusted with releasing water to residents. They also complained against Srinivasan, BDO, in Kondalampatty police station, but no action was taken against him.

As the family members tried to set fire to themselves after dousing with kerosene, the police presented at the spot acted swiftly and foiled their attempt. Later, officials promised to ensure regular water supply to their locality.

In another incident, the estranged wife of a suspended forest range officer along with her two sons attempted to commit self-immolation in the Vellore Collector’s office on Thursday condemning lack of action against her husband, who had allegedly married another woman. She is resorting to this step for a second time in this month.

Sathuvachari police have decided to file a case against Merlin. The woman, Merlin Malathi was married to A Raja, the suspended forest range officer, 18 years ago. The couple had two sons, Sachin and Nelson. However, after the estrangement, she came to the Collectorate on May 6 demanding action against Raja alleging that he had secretly married another woman from Punganur village in Arcot taluk where she lived. On that day too, she attempted to set herself on fire, but was prevented by police officials present at the spot.

As police had a tip off about her arrival at the Collectorate, they kept a watch and when Merlin Malathi stepped in, police tried to convince her, but Sachin and Nelson poured kerosene on themselves and tried to set themselves alight. Police quickly acted and prevented their attempt. Malathi also tried to do the same but her attempt too was foiled. SP Pravesh Kumar said that the case against Raja was disposed of and complaints of bigamy had to be dealt with by the court.