3-yr-old kidnapped Salem boy rescued within hours

According to police, Yogeshwaran, the younger son of Balaji, a mechanic, and Nithya was playing in front of his house in Arisipalayam when two women came in a two-wheeler and abducted him.

“Both the women had their faces covered with ‘dupatta’. Hence, their identity was not known. Locals who noticed the women abducting the child raised an alarm, but the duo managed to escape,” police said.

After a futile search, the residents informed Sevvapet police about the incident. As there was a delay in police reaching the spot, the infuriated residents resorted to a road roko protest near Arunagiri bus stand triggering tension. They, however, withdrew the protest after police arrived and pacified them.

A police team led by Deputy Commissioner Thangadurai and Assistant Commissioner Eswaran held inquiries. Vehicle checks were intensified, and two special teams were formed immediately to nab the culprits. Police also scanned images recorded in around ten CCTV cameras fixed in the neighbourhood.

Apprehending arrest, the alleged abductors abandoned the child by the roadside near Suramangalam. On receiving information, the police rushed to the spot and rescued the child in a matter of four hours.

Villagers told police that they noticed a woman loitering in the neighbourhood for the last two days. Police have now launched a manhunt for the accused, who are on the run. Further investigations are on.