Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan informed the Assembly on Monday that the government had taken steps to prevent the misuse of places of worship in the State by communal forces.
In reply to a question, Mr. Radhakrishnan said continuous patrolling by the police and surveillance by the police and the special branch were in place.
The authorities of the places of worship had been given necessary instruction by the police to check the misuse of the places of worship.
‘Infiltration’
Mr. Radhakrishnan said the government was aware of ‘infiltration’ of Bangladeshis into the State.
As many as 11 cases — six in Ernakulam and one each in Alappuzha, Kottayam, Thrissur, and Kozhikode — had been registered in this regard.
Sand mafia
The government had been able to check the activities of the sand mafia, which is basically centred on river banks in the State, through stern steps. As many as 124 people were injured in attacks by the sand mafia during the past two years, he said. Of the injured, 72 were police personnel, 38 from the Revenue Department, 11 citizens, and three from the Forest Department.
Online fraud
The Home Minister said the government had information on instances of online fraud in the State and people getting cheated.
Of the 64 cases registered, inquiry in six had been completed.
Fifty-two people had to be arrested. The government was aware of fake SMS and e-mail frauds.
As many as 1,58,285 pirated CDs and 410 blue films had been seized in raids by the Anti-Piracy Wing of the police from January 2012 to June 10 this year.
Cases had been registered against 3,44, 694 people belonging to various political parties and trade unions for taking out processions without obtaining permission after the government came to power, Mr. Radhakrishnan said.
Roadside trees
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told the House that the government policy was to cut trees on non-forest government land and on the roadsides that were a risk to the public and road users. No study had been conducted on such trees.
The tree committee, while giving permission to cut the trees on the roadsides that were a risk to the public, would insist on planting more trees, he said.
