Chennai: In a scene straight out of a commercial potboiler, a special team of police personnel arrested more than 60 rowdies, who had assembled to celebrate the birthday of a fellow history-sheeter, at Malayambakkam village near Poonamallee on the outskirts of the city in the wee hours of Wednesday.

More than 120 rowdies, armed with deadly weapons, guns and sickles, from across the city had gathered to celebrate the birthday of fellow gangster Binu, at an open lorry shed on the Vandalur-Minjur Outer Ring Road late last night. Binu celebrated his birthday by cutting a cake with a huge sickle.

Police who came to know of the birthday bash when, during routine vehicle checks, intercepted a vehicle and questioned three people. During questioning, the rowdies, armed with sickles and knives, confessed that they were going to celebrate the birthday of rowdy Binu at Malayambakkam, where history-sheeters from across the city would assemble for the occasion.

Police swung into action immediately, formed special teams headed by Ambattur Assistant Commissioner Sarvesh Raj rounded up the venue and arrested 60 rowdies, who were drinking and dancing along with others. As police began rounding up people, big players, including Binu and his associates Vikki and Kanagu, against whom four murder cases are pending, fled the scene.

Police sources said at least 50 rowdies escaped. Four special teams headed by Assistant Commissioner Kannan were formed to nab them. Special teams also fanned out to neighbouring Kancheepuram district following reports that they might have been holed up there.

The police has seized eight cars, more than 30 two-wheelers and several lethal weapons, like sickles, knives and guns from them. All the arrested rowdies were taken to different police stations for questioning to ascertain whether they were planning any attacks in the city. All of them would be produced before a court later in the day for sending them to judicial remand.

Agencies