In a well-coordinated operation between the Madurai and Sivaganga police, an armed gang that kidnapped M. Rajendran (41) from Tirupparankundram here was nabbed within three hours from the time of complaint. The victim was rescued. The police recovered a country-made pistol, one round of bullet, six mobile phones, one ‘aruval’ and arrested four persons while a search is on to nab two others.
Passers-by alerted the Madurai police about the kidnap that took place at around 5.15 p.m. The kidnappers, who bundled the victim into a sedan, pulled out the pistol when some courageous onlookers attempted to thwart the kidnap. The Madurai police alerted all the check-posts as the car sped through Avaniapuram.
Karuppayoorani Deputy Superintendant of Police (DSP) P. Srinivasaperumal and Silaiman Inspector of Police T. Balamurugan, who were on bandobust duty on Ring Road in connection with Governor Rosaiah’s visit to the city, started chasing a ‘mysterious’ car.
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Apprehending trouble, the kidnappers sped towards Poovanthi. Immediately, the neighbouring Sivaganga district police were alerted.
A team of police led by Manamadurai DSP S. Vellaidorai intercepted a SUV by chance at Pachcheri junction on the Padamathur road, Sivaganga Superintendent of Police R. Sakthivel said. When the police stopped the vehicle, those in the vehicle tried to move it. However, when they realised that they were trapped, the kidnappers abandoned the vehicle and started running under the cover of darkness.
One of them opened fire at the police. However, no one was injured. While the police managed to rescue Rajendran and apprehend four persons whose names were given as Sathyamurthy, P. Saravanan (26), R. Maharajan (30) and K. Prabakaran (41), all from Pudukottai, one Gandhi escaped from the scene.
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Mr. Sakthivel said that preliminary inquiries revealed that the gang had kidnapped Rajendran, a clerk in a cooperative housing society, as he had not returned Rs. 6 lakh borrowed from one Kumar of Pudukottai. The gang had changed cars on the way, the police said.