A 51-year-old lorry driver from Kerala was abducted, assaulted, and robbed of ₹50,000 by a gang in Salem. The victim was tied up at a burial ground before managing to escape.
- Kerala driver Ali (51) abducted near Navapatti, Salem.
- Victim assaulted and tied up at Madaiyankuttai burial ground.
- ₹50,000 stolen; victim rescued by passersby.
In a harrowing incident that has raised security concerns for interstate transport workers, a lorry driver from Kerala was targeted by a violent gang in the Salem district of Tamil Nadu. The victim, identified as Ali (51), a resident of Nilambur, Kerala, was traveling toward Mettur on Tuesday night to have his vehicle repaired at a local workshop.
The ordeal began at Navapatti, where two individuals on a motorcycle intercepted Ali's lorry. The assailants launched a sudden attack, overpowering the driver and abducting him at gunpoint or through force. They transported him to the secluded Madaiyankuttai burial ground, a location chosen specifically to avoid detection by law enforcement and the public.
Once at the burial ground, the initial two attackers were joined by two other accomplices. The gang subjected Ali to a brutal physical assault before tying him up securely. After ensuring the victim was incapacitated, the criminals robbed him of ₹50,000 in cash and fled the scene, leaving him for dead or captured.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows a worrying trend of targeted crimes against long-haul drivers who often carry significant cash for fuel and repairs. The choice of a burial ground as a crime scene suggests a level of premeditation and local geographical knowledge, indicating that the gang may be operating a structured network in the Mettur-Salem belt.
The targeting of interstate drivers highlights a critical gap in highway patrolling and the need for digitized payment systems to reduce the cash carried by transport workers.
Following the incident, Ali demonstrated remarkable resilience by managing to untie himself despite his injuries. He was later discovered by passersby, who immediately rushed him to the Government Hospital in Mettur for medical treatment. The Mettur police have since registered a formal case and have launched a manhunt to apprehend the culprits.
In a separate but equally concerning incident, the region has seen a spike in opportunistic crimes. V. Vishnu (28), a resident of Paraikadu, was attacked in Vellalachikadu on Wednesday. The victim, who was reportedly in an inebriated state, was robbed of a four-sovereign gold chain. He was admitted to the Government Hospital in Salem, and the Sooramangalam police are currently investigating the matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the abduction of the Kerala driver take place?
The driver was abducted at Navapatti and taken to the Madaiyankuttai burial ground in the Salem district.
What was stolen from the victim?
The assailants robbed the driver of ₹50,000 in cash.
