Minister for Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare A. Srinath and the Minister for Food and Civil Supplies P. Venkataramanan on Saturday handed over a solatium of ₹10 lakh each to the kin of Mayiladuthurai fishermen — P. Maveeran of Thoduvai fishing village in Sirkazhi taluk and G. Shankar, of Keezhamoovarkarai fishing village — who were allegedly shot dead by pirates while they were fishing in Saudi Arabia recently.

The solatium was given from the Chief Minister’s General Relief Fund at a brief function held at the District Collectorate. Mayiladuthurai Collector H.S. Srikanth and Sirkazhi MLA R. Senthilselvan were also present.

An 80-year-old ex-serviceman allegedly shot dead a pet dog with an air gun at Mutharam village in Mudigonda mandal of Khammam district on Thursday. The Mudigonda police arrested the accused, identified as Janaiah, on Friday and seized the air gun from him.

According to sources, Janaiah allegedly fired at his neighbour’s pet dog after spotting it entering his house. The dog reportedly succumbed to the injury a short while later.

The pet dog’s owner lodged a complaint against Janaiah at the Mudigonda police station on Thursday.

Based on the complaint, the police registered a case against Janaiah under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), police said.

The accused was arrested and the air gun was seized from his possession on Friday. A panchnama was conducted at the scene of the offence and further investigation is under way.