Sandal smuggler freed hours after abduction

In his complaint, Ezhumalai of Pudhur village said he was on his way to the rice mill in Edapalayam when a car intercepted him around 6 pm on Sunday. Six men got down from the car and allegedly attacked him before bundling him into the car. The gang took him near Acharapakkam where he was assaulted again. Hearing his loud cries for help, the local villagers rushed to the spot. On noticing them, the kidnappers let go of Ezhumalai and escaped from the spot in their car. 

Acharapakkam police rushed to the spot and sent Ezhumalai to a nearby hospital where he is undergoing treatment. Meanwhile, based on the information he gave, Thiruvallur police were alerted, who in turn arrested one of the six abductors, Daweed (30). He was remanded in custody. 

Sources said Ezhumalai and Daweed were all part of the same gang and were involved in sandalwood smuggling and other illegal trades. After the group split recently, there was rivalry between them over sand smuggling. It is suspected that Ezhumalai could have willingly gone with Daweed, after which an argument between them might have escalated into a physical fight. Further inquiry is on.