Three persons, including a minor, were arrested for abducting a labourer for ransom in Salem on Thursday (July 23, 2026).

According to the police, S. Shanmugam (44), a resident of Mariamman Kovil Street in Arisipalayam, was working in a cattle farm owned by Loganayaki. On Wednesday afternoon (July 22, 2026), when he went to buy fodder at Leigh Bazaar, Shevapet, four persons abducted him on their two-wheeler. Later, they made a phone call to Loganayaki, demanding ₹1.25 lakh, and also attacked Shanmugam. She alerted the police, who subsequently released Shanmugam at the same location and fled upon realizing that the police had been informed. He was admitted to the Salem Government Hospital for treatment.

The Pallapatti police registered a case, and on Thursday arrested K. Sathasivam alias Durai (54), a resident of Shanmuga Nagar, S. Diwakar (19), a resident of Podarankadu and a 17-year-old boy. The police are on lookout for two more persons in connection with the case.