The city police on Sunday completed a major combing operation across the city, nabbing nearly 500 persons ranging from those wanted for petty offences to some against whom arrest warrants under the Kerala Antisocial Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA) were issued.
The 24-hour drive, which began at 6 a.m. on Saturday, was under the supervision of H. Venkatesh, City Police Commissioner and Assistant Commissioners M. Saifuddin (Cantonment), R. Sreekumar (Fort) and Jawahar Janardh (Shangumugham).
It saw 179 accused, against whom arrest warrants were pending, also being apprehended. According to Mr. Venkatesh, the drive was conducted after sealing all entry and exit points to the city. It was part of the preparations to ensure a peaceful Easter in the city.
AbscondersAbsconders held during the drive included Sharat Chandran of Anayara and Sarith, of Chennilode Colony.
Those held under KAAPA were Subhash Kumar alias Suma, 30, of Thammalam, an accused in several criminal cases, who was caught by the Poojapura police; and Binu alias Peelu Binu of Payattuvila, who was held by the Vizhinjam police. Both were shifted to the Poojapura Central Prison.
Twelve persons, accused in various criminal cases, were also among those arrested. Sulaiman of Paruthikuzhi, wanted for harassing a woman, was held by the Poonthura police, while Afzal and Ansar, wanted for cases including murder attempts, were held by the Thiruvallam police.
The Valiathura police nabbed Nishanth of Vayyamoola, wanted for destroying public property, while Biju and Jayan, wanted for several assault cases, were arrested by the Vattiyoorkavu police. Mariyappan of Aryashala, charged with theft, was held by the Fort police.
Quick actionTwo persons – Sooraj and Natesan – who had fled after stabbing a female canteen supervisor at a private hospital near Venpalavattom could be arrested barely an hour after the offence was possible only because the drive was on, Mr. Venkatesh said.
Cases for drunk driving were charged against 86 persons while 60 were held for consumption of liquor in public places.
More than 2,500 vehicles were checked, while cases for violation of the Motor Vehicles Act were registered against 1,250 persons, the Commissioner said.
