A 30-year-old construction worker was arrested by the Polur police in Tiruvannamalai on Sunday for allegedly killing an elderly woman who allegedly stopped providing free food to him.

Police said the arrested person was identified as R. Murthy, a daily wage labourer. The victim, B. Yasoda, 62, and Murthy belong to Ezhuvambadi village near Polur town in the district.

Initial inquiry revealed that Yasoda was living with her son, Venu, a mechanic, in the village after her husband died many years ago. Murthy was a neighbour who lived alone after his family abandoned him. Yasoda has been providing free food to Murthy for the past few years. Of late, Murthy was addicted to alcohol and often got into arguments with Venu, Yasoda’s son, over petty issues.

Police said Venu asked her mother not to provide food to Murthy anymore. Agitated Murthy quarrelled with Yasoda for not giving him food. In a fit of rage, Murthy allegedly stabbed her when she was returning home on Sunday.

Police said residents and neighbours raised the alarm and alerted the Polur police. A case was registered. Murthy was arrested and lodged at Central Prison in Vellore. Further probe is under way.

Work to lay a new water pipeline between Sathanur dam and Tiruvannamalai town, a distance of 24 kms, to provide 135 litres per capita per day (LPCD) for each household in Tiruvannamalai is nearing completion, bringing relief to hundreds of consumers in the temple town.

Officials of Tiruvannamalai Corporation said the work is being done at ₹55.49 crore under the Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme 2023-24. “Work on the remaining 550 metres of water pipeline, especially on Thandrampattu Road, is being done. The entire work will be completed this month. New pipelines will prevent frequent pipe bursts and water seepage,” S. Selva Balaji, Commissioner, Tiruvannamalai Corporation, told The Hindu

Along with Corporation and State Highways officials, Collector K. Tharpagaraj inspected ongoing water pipeline work in the town. Corporation officials said that the existing water pipelines, which were laid many years ago, are being replaced with new pipelines on the Tiruvannamalai – Aroor High Road, which is maintained by the State Highways. “The new pipeline should be commissioned soon to ensure a regular water supply to tail tail-end areas in the town. It will also help to prevent water contamination due to pipeline leakage,” said B. Mahesh, a resident.

Corporation officials said that taking advantage of the widening of the existing two-lane Tiruvannamalai-Aroor High Road into four lanes, the civic body decided to lay new water pipelines to prevent road-breaking charges. Old water pipelines were laid at the centre of the stretch. As a result, new water pipelines with more durability are being laid on the extreme end of the stretch to prevent any damage by vehicles.

Corporation officials said that as against a demand of 22 MLD of water per day, the civic body manages to generate only 18 MLD of water per day for its 31,000 consumers. Transit loss due to frequent pipe bursts and depletion of water resources are reasons for the gap between demand and supply. The new water pipelines will ensure regular water supply to residents.