The city police have arrested more than 400 anti-social elements during a special drive held as part of security arrangements for the Republic Day celebrations.
The arrested persons were Ayub of Manikavilakam, Jalal of Karakulam, Ullas of Manikanteswaram, Prasad of Kovalam, Balu of Pettah, and Padmini of Kallummoodu, all declared wanted by courts, Commissioner of police P. Vijayan said in a release.
Also among the arrested was Chotta Lal from Assam who made a vain attempt to enter the International Airport by scaling the boundary.The combing operation, which started on Friday evening, went on till early Saturday. All police stations in the city were involved in the operation. The drive saw police conducting simultaneous raids in 280 lodges and checking 2,454 vehicles. Fine was imposed on 625 persons for violating transport rules, 90 persons for drunk driving, and against 15 persons for consuming liquor at public places, the release said. Legal proceedings were initiated against 51 persons for creating public nuisance at Thampanoor Bus Stand and Central Station. Plainclothesmen and members of the shadow police also took part in the operation. The drive would continue on Sunday night, too, police said.
