Armed gang terrorises public, attacks two men in suburbs

The gang was allegedly returning after threatening the employees at a scrap shop, as the owner refused to give them mamool. The scrap shop, located on Bharathiyar Street in Abdul Kalam Nagar in Pozhichalur, is owned by Khaja Moideen (50), said the police. Khaja Moideen received a call around 2.30 pm from unidentified persons who sought money from him to celebrate Ayudha Pooja. He refused to give them money and disconnected the call.

After an hour, a group of eight men on three two-wheelers reached the shop. Khaja Moideen had gone out at that time. Police said there were only four employees present at the shop when the gang came there. The group with sickles barged into the shop and began to break the valuables in the shop.

When one of the employees, Swaminathan (32), tried to stop the gang, they attacked him with sickles. The gang also threatened the public and attacked a motorist on their way, and escaped from the spot.

The injured persons were admitted to the Chromepet Government Hospital. Later, the Shankar Nagar police team went to the spot and conducted inquiries. According to a resident, anti-social elements in the locality collect mamool every month and attack those who refused to pay.

Police said that Khaja Moideen initially hesitated to file a complaint fearing another attack by the gang. After the police assured him of protection, he filed a complaint later in the night. The police are browsing the CCTV footage to nab the culprits. Sources said that all of accused were in their early twenties. The Shankar Nagar police have registered a case and further inquiry is on.