Collector K Magarabhusanam said the 45-year-old man met him and said he wanted to take the extreme step as officials of Mecheri panchayat had refused permission to open a shop.
The Collector informed him it was not possible to advise the panchayat union to allot space for a shop, but that he would make arranagements to avail of a loan to set it up elsewhere. Following this assurance, the man relented.