Gang abducts man at gunpoint near Pollachi

The masked abductors, however, set him free within a few hours on reaching Kerala the same night.

The victim, Hari Prasad (24) from Kollan Kottai, was employed in a tiles firm on the Pollachi-Palakkad Road, said police. He was returning to a farm at Diwansapudur, where the employees were staying, in a company-owned car driven by Suresh (29) from Sithani Goundanpudur, when the incident occurred.

Around 9 pm, two cars intercepted their car. “After they managed to stop the car, over 10 heavily-armed persons with their faces covered with handkerchiefs got down from the two cars. They smashed the window shields of the car and threw out Suresh after assaulting him,” police said.

Thereafter, they abducted Hari in the same car at gunpoint. They also threatened him to reveal the whereabouts of jewels in the car. However, Hari pleaded that he knew nothing. Thereafter, the gang sped towards Kozhinjamparai in Palakkad, Kerala.

“Noticing a vehicle check being carried out by the police, they left him in his car and escaped in their own vehicles. The Kerala police rescued him and sent him safely to Anaimalai,” police said.

Police suspect the abductors were part of a highway robbery gang as their modus operandi appeared to be similar to that of the gang involved in the daring Rs 1 crore highway heist in Coimbatore outskirts.

“The abductors had threatened Hari Prasad to reveal information on the jewels. So there were chances that it was a misplaced abduction. The gang members were in possession of iron rods, knives, sickle and gun,” police said.

Anaimalai police have registered a case and further enquiry is on.