Group clash: Two women try to end life, another injured

Two women consumed poison and another was injured following a group clash at Avvarahalli in the taluk on Wednesday.

Earlier, police had to use mild force to disperse the mob following a clash between two groups due to the differences over reopening Milk Producers’ Women’s Cooperative Union office, which had been locked since the past two months. While the director of the union Puttamma and member Sarojamma took ill after consuming poison, another member Vishalakshi was injured in the melee.

According to locals, Pushpalatha, who was serving as the secretary of the union resigned due to various reasons three months ago. But, the president of the union had succeeded in bringing back Pushpalatha. It is alleged that Pushpalatha had not cleared the women milk producers’ arrears since the past two months.

Pushpalatha disappeared from the village later. Following this, the villagers targeted the president and even locked the office, two months ago. One group had appealed to open the office and even appointed another person as the secretary, which was opposed by the villagers, the locals said. However, the deputy registrar of the Cooperation Department, along with his staff arrived at the office on Wednesday and tried to open the lock.
Then, the other group opposed it and it led to a clash. However, the office was opened amid police personnel later.

Upset over this, Director Puttamma and member Sarojamma attempted suicide by consuming poison. All the three have been admitted to the district hospital and are said to be out of danger. Following this, the villagers staged a protest near the rural police station.