The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Woman, daughters commit suicide in Pozhichalur

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Wednesday, Jan 23, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Woman, daughters commit suicide in Pozhichalur

Special Correspondent

TAMBARAM: A family of three committed suicide at their house in Pozhichalur near Pallavaram on Tuesday.

The Shankar Nagar police identified the victims as Parameshwari (55), her daughters Poornima (25) and Priya (24).

Residents of Bhajanai Koil Street and police suspect that the women have committed suicide as the daughters were partially hearing impaired and also had a speech disability. Parameshwari and her husband Karuppaiah, who retired from the Indian Army, hailed from Tiruchi district and settled down in Pozhichalur several years ago and were running a provision store.

In October last, Poornima got married to Ganesh Raj, running a provision store in Sri Lanka. After Deepavali, Parameshwari went to Sri Lanka and stayed with her daughter for some time.

Remarks

During their stay there, the in-laws were alleged to have made some remarks about the speech impairment of the sisters.

The two women used to stammer while speaking, neighbours said.

Parameshwari returned with her daughter recently. On Tuesday, as the house was locked for a long time, the neighbours grew suspicious and alerted the Shankar Nagar Police Station.

Found hanging

Police personnel came and found the three hanging from the ceiling. The bodies were sent for post-mortem. Their relatives gave their consent to donate the eyes of the three women. Neighbours on Bhajanai Koil Street and scores of residents from nearby areas came to the house when they heard the news.

Land acquisition

Parameshwari was among the first residents of Pozhichalur, who took to the streets on March 16, 2006, to protest the land acquisition scheme for airport expansion.

She played an important role in mobilising people’s support for the stir against the expansion. Neighbours and residents recalled her bold speeches during public and street corner meetings.

“We are unable to come to terms … it is unbelievable that such a bold woman had resorted to the extreme step,” said K. Rajagopal, a resident of Venkateswara Nagar.

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