Chennai saw 962 fatal accidents this year, says senior police officer

Commissioner of Police J. K. Tripathy hands over stolen items to their rightful owners at his office on Wednesday — Photo: R. Ragu

After a gap of five months, Commissioner of Police J. K. Tripathy, on Wednesday morning, held a press conference at his office here, during which he spelt out guidelines with regard to the display and immersion of idols as part of Vinayaka Chaturthi celebrations.

Addressing over 30 media persons gathered at the grievance hall of the Commissionerate, Mr. Tripathy said the idols should be made only as per the rules stipulated by the Madras High Court and Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board. “The idols should be erected only after obtaining prior police permission and should not be a hindrance to general public and traffic flow.”

Pending murders cases

Speaking about the investigations into pending murder cases, including the killing of two elderly women in West Mambalam, murder of a nurse in Kodungaiyur and a housewife in Nesappakkam, Mr. Tripathy said the cases were being probed by specific teams and breakthroughs could be expected soon.

Fatal accidents

Additional Commissioner of Police Sanjay Arora who was also present at the press meet urged the media to publish awareness material regarding helmetless riding. “Till the end of August 2012, we have recorded 962 fatalities from road accidents in the city. The accidents involve 446 deaths of two-wheeler riders, of which 436 were riding without a helmet during the time of the accident,” Mr. Arora added.

283 cases in two months

A total of 283 cases, including 183 chain snatchings and 11 robberies, were registered in the last two months and 262 criminals were arrested in connection with the cases. For chain snatching offenses, 133 persons were apprehended in all the four police zones within city limits.

A special team headed by a Deputy Commissioner was sent to Delhi to nab a chain-snatching team including young women, which runs riot in parts of North Chennai. “We have specific leads on the case and will soon arrest the key suspects,” Mr. Tripathy said.

Gold jewellery weighing 1378 sovereigns, 800 gms of silver items, 79 mobile phones and cash totalling to Rs. 16.85 lakh were recovered. Stolen vehicles including 17 two-wheelers, 18 four-wheelers, three autorickshaws and two lorries were recovered. All the seized items were handed over to their rightful owners, police sources said.