Robbers waylaid trucks on the national highway at Arugolanu near Hanuman Junction in the wee hours of Tuesday, making off with Rs. 7,000 in cash. Three persons – Ch. Prasad, P. Suresh and Prathipati Kotaiah – sustained injuries during the scuffle. Prasad and Suresh were shifted to the Government General Hospital here, while Kotaiah was admitted to the Gudivada Governnment Hospital. Their condition is said to be stable.
According to Hanuman Junction police, a gang of robbers intercepted the vehicles around 2.30 a.m. and attacked the drivers with blades and iron rods, resulting in severe injuries to them.
“Robbers snatched Rs. 7,000 from the victims. On receiving information, we rushed to the spot and shifted them to hospital,” said Hanuman Junction Sub-Inspector I.V. Nagendra Kumar.
“We were forced to stop our vehicle when we spotted a man come out of the bushes on to the road. Soon, two more joined him, and they tried to drag the driver from the cabin and forcibly take cash from his pocket. When we resisted, thieves attacked us with iron roads,” Kotaiah said.
Meanwhile, Krishna District Superintendent of Police J. Prabhakara Rao said special teams had been formed to nab the culprits. Patrolling has been intensified at Arugolanu and neighbouring villages.
“We suspect that three to five robbers, who spoke Telugu, are involved in the attacks. We also suspect the involvement of some local gangs in the robbery,” Mr. Rao said.
