2 held for locking up boy on suspicion of stealing parrots

Two men were arrested on Tuesday for allegedly assaulting and locking up a 15-year old boy on suspicion that he had stolen some exotic birds from their home, police said.

Barakathullah (28) and Tariq (26) were arrested after the police rescued the boy from a shop of the accused on being alerted by some passersby about him crying.

According to police, three parrots, worth about Rs 15,000 totally, were found missing from Barakathullah's house a few days ago and they got information that the boy was seen in possession of some parrots and had sold them to a stranger in nearbyb Tiruvarur.

On Monday, the two had gone to the boy's house and brought him to a textile shop owned by Tariq and beat him and locked him there.

On Monday night, the boy had reportedly consumed an adhesive material in the shop and started crying for help. Passersby informed police who rushed to the spot and rescued the boy.