CHENNAI: A 19-year-old youth and two minors were arrested by the Tiruvallur district police for attacking two college students with machetes, leaving them in a critical condition, allegedly due to enmity over a petty quarrel.
The injured students are identified as Anish and Anbarasu - relatives and residents of Pagasalai village near Tiruvalangadu in Tiruvallur district. The duo was studying in Chennai.
Earlier this month, the duo were riding their two-wheeler along Lakshmivilasapuram village to reach the railway station, when the main accused, Rahul (19), had intercepted them and threatened them with a weapon, alleging that they were speeding on the road.
Anish and Anbarasu told their parents about the threat, and the elders spoke with Rahul's parents, who reprimanded him. The police said Rahul is a school dropout.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Rahul, accompanied by two 17-year-old boys, intercepted Anish and Anbarasu and picked up an argument.
Rahul and another minor boy were carrying weapons and repeatedly assaulted the college students with weapons and fled the scene. Onlookers rushed to the aid of the injured and moved them to the nearby Primary Health Centre.
The boys were later moved to the Tiruvallur government hospital for further treatment.
The Tiruvalangadu police arrested Rahul and the two minor boys. Rahul was produced before a magistrate and remanded in judicial custody, while the juveniles were sent to a government home for boys.