The police on Monday prevented several groups of youth from extorting money from residents, wayfarers and motorists in the name of Athapookalam and Onam celebrations in different parts of the city.
In Thiruvallam, the police arrested six young revellers who waved down vehicles on the national highway to extort money from motorists. Similar arrests were made in other parts of the city. The police registered at least three cases in connection with brawls at athapookalam venues.
So far, no chain snatchings, purse lifting or instances of public harassment of women and families have been reported from the festival venues. At several places, the police prevented Onam celebrations from degrading into drunken revelry and fisticuffs.
Senior officers have directed law enforcers to strictly crack down on consumption of alcohol in public places.
Officials said no burglaries had been reported in the city so far. The police have organised joint patrolling with citizens in several residential areas in the city.
Vehicles seized
As many as 2,000 policemen have been deployed for law and order and traffic duties in the city during the Onam week celebrations which commenced on Saturday. The police registered 49 cases of drunk driving on Monday. Several vehicles, including two wheelers, were seized. They also booked scores of motorists on the charge of obstructive and haphazard parking.
The police have rounded up many known offenders, including gangsters, drug peddlers and regular trouble makers, under the preventive sections of the law.
