A 71-year-old farmer was allegedly run over and killed by a tractor following a long-standing land dispute near Bhavani in Erode district on Thursday (September 17, 2026).
The deceased was identified as Kalanayakkar of Pothanaickanur in Mylambadi panchayat. Police said he had been involved in a land dispute with Rangasamy, also of the same locality, and the two had frequently quarrelled over the issue.
According to the police, Rangasamy went to the disputed land on Thursday to plough it using his tractor. Kalanayakkar, who was present there, objected to the work and questioned him. An argument ensued and escalated into a quarrel. During the altercation, Rangasamy allegedly drove the tractor over Kalanayakkar and fled. Kalanayakkar died on the spot.
On being alerted, the police reached the spot and sent the body to the Government Erode Medical College and Hospital at Perundurai for post-mortem examination. Meanwhile, relatives and members of the public staged a road blockade, demanding the immediate arrest of Rangasamy. The protest led to tension in the area. The police held talks with the protesters, following which the blockade was withdrawn.
The police registered a case against Rangasamy and launched a search for him.
Published – September 17, 2026 07:49 pm IST
