Three sustain cut injuries in attack by gang

Three youths sustained cut injuries as an armed gang attacked them near Kalakkad in the early hours of Tuesday.

Police said a number of devotees from various villages around Kalakkad participated in the temple festival held at nearby Padmaneri on Monday. When the devotees were enjoying karagattam organised in the night as part of the celebrations, a few devotees from Singikulam presented gifts to the karagattam artistes, which was opposed by the residents of Padmaneri. After a minor scuffle, the Singikulam people left the spot.

In the early hours of Tuesday, a gang of strangers came to Padmaneri and hacked Mahesh alias Mariappan, 28, Prakash, 25, and Esakki Pandi, 27, all from Padmaneri, and escaped.

With cut injuries, the three were taken to hospitals. While Mahesh and Esakki Pandi were admitted to Nanguneri Government Hospital, Prakash has been admitted to Government Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital.

Kalakkad police have registered a case.