Farmer held on murder charges in Tirupattur

A 42-year-old farmer was arrested by Natrampalli police in Tirupattur on Friday for reportedly killing another farmer over a dispute in sharing water from a common farm well for irrigation.

Police said the arrested farmer was identified as K. Sathiyan, a resident of Athur Kuppam village near Natrampalli town in the district. The victim G. Illavarasan, 42, was a neighbour and farmer.

Initial inquiry revealed that Sathiyan and Gopal, Illavarasan’s father, have been cultivating their farmlands by drawing water from a common farm well, which is located at the centre of the two farmlands, for many years. The two farmers had a dispute in the ownership of the farm well.

Police said that it was around 7.30 a.m on Friday when Illavarasan, Gopal, and his family members came to chop a neem tree near the farm well. Sathiyan and his family objected to it as they claimed the ownership of the tree. The police said a heated argument broke out between them. They also exchanged blows. In a fit of rage, Sathiyan hit Illavarasan with a sharp object. Illavarasan collapsed on the spot.

Immediately, he was rushed to Government Taluk Hospital in Natrampalli town where doctors said that he was brought dead. A case was registered. Police arrested Sathiyan, who was later lodged at sub-jail in Tirupattur town. A probe is under way.