A dramatic chase involving a tourist van and two unidentified men caused panic near Madukkarai in Coimbatore after the duo allegedly intercepted the vehicle and threatened its occupants with weapons.
The incident occurred near Palathurai when a black tourist van was travelling through the area. Two men on a two-wheeler allegedly blocked the van and threatened the driver with what appeared to be a firearm. The driver accelerated and attempted to escape, but the duo reportedly chased the van up to the petrol bunk near the Madukkarai flyover.
Heavy traffic brought the van to a halt, following which the suspects allegedly attacked two persons travelling in the vehicle with sickles and other sharp weapons.
The driver and local residents alerted the police. Personnel from Pothanur and Madukkarai police stations rushed to the spot. The suspects fled on their two-wheeler on seeing the police.
Police launched vehicle checks in the Madukkarai-Coimbatore border areas and began examining CCTV footage to trace the suspects.
Preliminary inquiry indicated that the incident was an attempted robbery. Police confirmed that the guns used by the suspects were toy guns, while they allegedly carried sharp weapons.
The two injured persons are undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Madukkarai. Hospital sources said one received six stitches and the other two stitches.
