Chennai, 13 March (H.S.): In a shocking incident, an elderly couple was murdered by their neighbor in a dispute over cattle and chickens damaging their crops in Periyathottam near Thulukkamuthur village on Wednesday night.

The victims, identified as A Palanisamy, 80, and P Parvatham, 72, were hacked to death by their relative and neighbor, C Ramesh, 40. Ramesh, who was rearing cattle and chickens on his farmland, had a history of disputes with the couple over his animals damaging their crops.

On Wednesday evening, a quarrel broke out between Ramesh and the couple after his chickens entered their farmland. In a fit of rage, Ramesh attacked and killed the couple before escaping on a motorcycle.

Ramesh was later admitted to the Government Medical College Hospital in Tirupur after he lost control of his motorcycle and sustained severe injuries. The Avinashi police arrested Ramesh on Thursday after he confessed to the crime.

The incident has sparked outrage, with AMMK general secretary T T V Dhinakaran expressing shock and criticizing the state government for its handling of law and order.

The Avinashi police have registered a murder case against Ramesh and are investigating the incident further.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary