Two held for brutally attacking three youths in Coimbatore

Coimbatore: The Race Course police on Saturday arrested two men for brutally assaulting three youths near PN Palayam in the city on Friday night. They also have launched a manhunt for other five accused in the case.An investigation officer identified the arrested duo as J Deepan, 33 of Tirupur, and A Anish, 24, of PN Palayam. According to him, the duo were part of a seven-member gang that attacked three youths, identified as Sudalai, 20, Venkataganesh 24, and Sreedharan, 25, all natives of Tenkasi, on Friday night. "The trio, along with their friend Shiva, visited a restaurant at PN Palayam on the fateful night. After having dinner, Shiva and Sreedharan went to a petty shop to buy cigarettes. They had a verbal spat with the shopkeeper. Sudalai intervened and pacified them, and all the three returned to the restaurant premises," the officer said. The shopkeeper, along with six others, followed the trio and entered into an altercation with them. "The gang assaulted Sudalai with their hands and stones. When Venkataganesh and Sridharan intervened, they assaulted the duo with stones," the officer said. On hearing the trio cry in distress, people in the vicinity rushed to their rescue, the officer said. "However, the gang threatened them with dire consequences and left the place. When alerted, we rushed the trio to the Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital, where they are undergoing treatment." Based on a complaint lodged by Sudalai, the Race Course police registered a case and arrested two members of the seven-member gang. Further investigation is on.