Man kills self over kids care

A man committed suicide here on Thursday after allegedly quarrelling with his wife over her inability to breast-feed their three-month-old baby.

Kumar, a resident of Nehru Nagar in Velachery, and Devi, a native of Tindivanam, have been married for a year, police said.

Devi was apparently having trouble in feeding their baby and Kumar would often rake up the issue. The couple also consulted a gynecologist, who told Devi that her condition could be set right with an injection.

However, Devi refused as she was allergic to injections. This enraged Kumar, who would often beat up his wife after coming home drunk.

During a similar tiff on Wednesday night, Kumar beat up Devi again. In a fit of anger, Devi walked out of the house. After calling out to Devi a couple of times, Kumar, who followed her, went back inside.

As was the case when the couple fought earlier, Kumar’s mother Kamalammal, who lived in the neighbourhood, consoled and convinced Devi as usual.

Kamalammal then accompanied Devi back to her house and said she would serve her dinner as it was well past midnight by then.

They subsequently walked into the house, only to find Kumar hanging from a fan.

Upon receiving information, police rushed to the spot, brought down the body and sent it for autopsy.

According to police, Devi enjoyed a good rapport with Kumar’s family.

Burglars Loot Church Offertory Boxes Thieves allegedly decamped with cash from the offertory boxes at a church here on Wednesday night.

According to police, the burglary took place when the rostered guards did  not turn up on Wednesday at the St Arockia Nathar Church on MC Road. The church had the practice of rostering night guard duty among 12 youth who were under the care of the church.

The burglars had entered the church after breaking a window in the balcony during the night and had decamped with cash from seven offertory boxes in the church.

The church was reopened after renovation in April and since then, the offerings were never counted. The collection would cross an estimated `3 lakh, it is said.

The burglary came to light when the church Parish noticed the break-in around 5.45 am and lodged a complaint with the Washermenpet Police.

Sources said the burglars would have committed the crime after sensing that there were no night guards on duty. Some fingerprints were also lifted from the balcony which was used by the burglars to gain entry into the church.

Six Boats Gutted in Kasimedu Harbour Six boats were gutted in a fire at Kasimedu Fishing Harbour here on Thursday morning, police said.

Police said that fishermen noticed the fire around 7 am and immediately informed the police.

Fire tenders were pressed into service and they doused the fire after 30 minutes of hard work.

The fire was so intense that it damaged five fibre boats and a kattamaran.

Fisheries department officials were informed about the fire. Sources said `10 lakh worth goods were gutted in the fire.