Student dies after rolling on sickle in clash between two families
Madurai: A 20-year-old college student died after he came in contact with a sickle lying on the ground during a scuffle between two families at Alwarkarkulam near Srivaikuntam in Tuticorin district on Sunday night. Based on complaints from both families, police registered separate cases against 14 people, including four from Mariyappan’s family and 10 from the rival group, including Thiagarajan. However, district superintendent of police R Shiva Prasad disputed claims of rising murders, saying 59 cases had been registered until October 26 this year, compared with 65 during the corresponding period in 2025, a decline of 9.2%.
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Police said Mariyappan’s family and another family headed by Sundararajan had been involved in a dispute for several months over domestic wastewater flowing in front of a house. Isakkiraja and another person fell to the ground while grappling during the clash, according to a senior police officer. Reacting to the death, DMK MP Kanimozhi said more than five murders had occurred in Tuticorin district in the past week and alleged that law and order was deteriorating. He said recent killings largely stemmed from civil disputes, drunken brawls and personal enmity.
The deceased was identified as Isakkiraja, son of Mariyappan and a second-year student at a private arts and science college near Srivaikuntam. Members of both families were sitting with other villagers when an argument broke out over their longstanding dispute. It escalated into a physical clash. As they rolled on the ground, Isakkiraja came in contact with the sickle. The blade pierced him, causing fatal injuries. He died on the spot. Srivaikuntam police recovered Isakkiraja’s body and sent it to Tirunelveli Government Medical College Hospital for autopsy. Several people from both sides were injured. Police personnel were deployed in the village following the incident. None of the accused in these cases were history-sheeters, repeat offenders or under police surveillance, he added. Download the TOI App.
The confrontation occurred after a Thiruvilakku Pooja at a village temple on Sunday night.