Ooty : A couple attempted to commit suicide by consuming poison in the District Collectorate premises here, over alleged acquisition of their landby a big tea estate management near Hanumapura at Pykara, some 40 km from here.

Monday Being grievances day, Narasimhan (45) and Sumathi (40) had come to the Collectorate to submit a petition. After registering their names, the couple took out bottles hidden inside their clothes and consumed their contents, police said.

Noticing this on the CCTV, a section of police and staff rushed to the spot and took them to the Government Hospital.

Preliminary inquiry revealed that the couple, holding a small piece of land, were upset after hearing that it was acquired by a big tea industry and put up a fence, police said. Since police failed to take action against their complaint, the couple came to the collectorate and consumed pesticide, they said.

Their condition appeared to be stable and a final report would be available only after a review, police added.