The action initiated by the City Police against those who dump waste in public places have brought out marked results with the number of cases dipping in just four days.
Acting on the instructions of the Kerala High Court, the City Police started booking persons under Section 120 (e) of the Kerala Police Act, which mandates a fine of Rs. 5,000 or one year imprisonment or both for those who are found to “defile water sources or water supply or cause hindrance to public sanitation activities or make public place dirty or causes serious damage to environment unlawfully.”
Sections 268 (public nuisance), 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 278 (making atmosphere noxious to health) of the Indian Penal Code are also evoked during registering cases.
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On the first day of the special drive, which began last Wednesday, 31 cases were registered, followed by 20 cases on November 24, seven cases on November 25, 11 each on next two days and 13 on Monday. Most of the cases were registered at Panangad, Kalamassery and Thrikkakara police stations.
Sources in the City Police said that the trend could be indicating that residents inside the city might be dumping waste in the suburbs. However, a clear picture could be obtained only after scrutinising the cases registered.
The police said that drive will continue in the days to come.
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