Akash and Indhuja were classmates in college and he began stalking her when she refused to marry him. Last week, he reportedly went to Indhuja’s house, pleading that he just wanted to talk to her. However on entering, Indhuja again refused him.
Akash who had come with petrol poured it on her and set her afire.
Indhuja’s mother and aunt suffered burn injuries while trying to douse the flames. Neighbours also rushed to help but Indhuja died before reaching hospital. Her mother and aunt were treated for burns.
Meanwhile neighbours caught Akash and hit him but he escaped and was caught by police the next day.
In a separate incident, a 14-year-old boy was set on fire by two men while cycling home from school at Vengalapuram in Vellore district.
Govindan managed to escape with 40% burns and reach home. Police suspect caste or business enmity with the victim’s father for the incident.
National library week celebrated across the state
Several cities in Tamil Nadu celebrated the 50th National Library Week from November 14 to 20.
In Tiruchi, the District Central Library organised painting and story-telling competitions for children and a numismatic and philatelic exhibition for adults. The library with nearly 150,000 books has been in existence since 1948.
In Salem, a library was opened at the Collector’s office. Similarly a library was opened at the Madurai Regional Passport office on November17 for the benefit of passport applicants and the public.
The National Library Week has been celebrated since 1968 to commemorate the birthday of India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Tamil Nadu was the first state to enact the Public Libraries Act in 1950 after independence. Its 32 districts have government libraries under the category of public, academic, special and national libraries.
Besides this, private libraries like the Thanjavur Saraswathi Mahal Library and Gnanalaya Library in Pudukottai have over a million books and ancient manuscripts of palm leaf and papyrus.
Man climbs mobile tower to press for political demands
A 25-year-old man climbed a cell phone tower opposite the US consulate in the busy Gemini Circle area of central Chennai and threatened to jump if his demands were not met.
Ravichandran demanded the immediate resignation of Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, his ally O Paneerselvam of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Bharatiya Janata Party’s state president Tamilisai Soundarajan. He wanted re-elections to be held in Tamil Nadu. He also demanded rollback of fuel and ration sugar prices and the closure of state-run TASMAC wine shops.
Top police officials and several fire servicemen rushed to the high security area and cajoled Ravichandran for an hour before he was persuaded to come down.
Police took him away to a secret location.
Jewellers admit committing fraud
Nathella Sampathu Jewellers, who closed their 80-year-old business and their seven showrooms in Tamil Nadu on November 9, has admitted to Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of mismanagement and fraud.
The EOW has registered the names of ten directors of the firm including founder members, Ranganatha Rao and his sons Prappana Kumar and Prasanna Kumar and a relative Kota Suresh.
