Tension gripped Thirumangalam in Madurai district after a petrol bomb was hurled at the house of a woman late on Wednesday night, allegedly due to ongoing hostility over a love marriage opposed by the bride’s family.
Selvam, a resident of Cholavanthan Road in Thirumangalam, had married off his son Ashwanth, 25, to Anitha, 23, daughter of Kavirajan of Palaniyapuram in Thirumangalam. The couple, who were in love for nearly four years, got married last month. However, Anitha’s family reportedly refused to accept the marriage, resulting in repeated disputes and animosity between the two families.
During earlier peace talks held at the Thirumangalam Town Police Station, Anitha reportedly declined to return to her parental home and chose to stay with her husband. Following this, Selvam had lodged a complaint with the police citing threats and harassment.
On Wednesday evening, Selvam and his family returned to Thirumangalam after visiting a private hospital in Madurai, where his elder daughter Priyadarshini’s mother-in-law was undergoing treatment. Near the Thirumangalam Town Police Station, Kavirajan allegedly intercepted their vehicle and picked up an argument. During the altercation, Selvam reportedly threw a stone, in which a young girl sustained injuries. Local residents intervened and separated both parties. The injured child was later taken to the Thirumangalam Government Hospital for treatment.
Later that night, around 11 pm, an unidentified person allegedly hurled a petrol-filled bottle through the rear window of Priyadarshini’s house near the Mariamman Temple in the Ettupattarai area and fled. As no one was inside the house at the time, there was no loss of life. However, the fire destroyed household articles, a bed, cash amounting to Rs 2 lakh and around 35 sovereigns of gold jewellery kept for medical expenses.
Fire and rescue personnel rushed to the spot and took nearly half an hour to bring the blaze under control. Selvam lodged a fresh complaint with the Thirumangalam Town Police Station. Forensic experts inspected the scene. Based on a complaint by Priyadarshini’s husband Balamurugan, police are investigating the alleged involvement of Kavirajan and his son Kaushik. The midnight incident caused panic among residents of Thirumangalam.
