Town protests as ADMK man lays claim to burial ground

When the residents protested, Pithan reportedly argued that the land belonged to him and he wanted to construct a teachers’ training institute there.

Tension mounted as police turned up soon after Pithan left in a huff and allegedly threatened that anyone protesting would be put behind the bars ‘‘for three years at least.’’

District Collector N Muruganandam said the administration had asked ‘‘both the sides’’ to bring along relevant documents that would enable him to verify their claims and take necessary action.

Meanwhile, the residents plan to observe a fast in front of the District Collectorate if the administration fails to intervene in their favour.

Reacting to their allegations, Pithan said the land in question was patta land and not a burial ground. ‘‘The land belonged to one Gnaneswari from whom I bought it only last Friday and got it registered,’’ he said.