Coimbatore : A couple and their two daughters Monday attempted to commit suicide by setting themselves afire on the premises of district collectorate following threats by a neighbour over his goats.

Selvaraj, selling phenyl and soap powder, came to the collectorate along with his family members, to submit a petition seeking protection from the neighbor who claimed to be a police official.

Suddenly he poured petrol on his body and also on wife and daughters in a bid to commit suicide and also to draw the attention of Collector. However, a group of media persons immediately overpowered and poured water on them to foil their attempt.

When asked, Selvaraj told reporters that he was living in his own house in Balaji Nagar in Cheran Managar in the city for the last 20 years and a person, who constructed a house near his house two years ago started threatening him saying that the goats he was rearing were destroying his plants and action would be taken against him.

Since the person, never seen in police uniform, continued to threaten him over the issue, he decided to commit suicide and came to the collectorate for immolating himself along with his family members, Selvaraj said.

Police have taken them in for further investigation.