A man was killed in Kottayam district in Kerala on Saturday following a clash over the price of a packet of salt. Sukumaran, 78, who already had a heart condition, died after his neighbours allegedly attacked him.

The quarrel resulted from a packet of salt that Sukumaran’s grandchild bought from a shop run by his neighbours Aji and Seema on Saturday.

Since they charged an extra Rs 2 for the packet, Sukumaran sent his grandchild back to the shop to return it. But Seema refused to take it back. Finally, Sukumaran accompanied his grandchild to the shop, and after a heated argument, Seema took back the packet of salt, and returned the money to him.

Later in the evening, however, Seema and Ali and their two sons went to Sukumaran’s house armed with wooden sticks. They allegedly attacked Sukumaran’s family and beat Sukumaran severely. Although Sukumaran was rushed to the hospital immediately afterward, he died.

The police are reportedly awaiting the post mortem report in order to confirm the exact cause of death.

However, Aji and Seema and their elder son have been arrested, while the younger son is absconding.