The Cuddalore district police have launched a crackdown on anti-social elements, including those from neighbouring Puducherry, by preparing a list of names and invoking the provisions of the Goondas Act against them.
Thirty seven notorious anti-socials and history sheeters have been detained under the Goondas Act in the last six months as against 31 in 2016 and 43 history sheeters in 2015.
In the last one week, the police have invoked the provisions of the Goondas Act against Amuthan, Suriya, Pugazh alias Pugazhenthi and Anbarasan alias Anbu, all hailing from neighbouring Puducherry and accused in the murder of Veerappan (43), a former councillor and relative of Puducherry Welfare Minister M. Kandasamy near Reddichavadi in Cuddalore district in April.
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Superintendent of Police C. Vijayakumar said the police had prepared a database on anti-social elements and began to crack the whip on offenders from Puducherry who were indulging in heinous crimes in Cuddalore and posing a threat to peace and tranquillity in the region, thanks to its geographical location with Puducherry.
Most of the accused detained under Goondas Act were repeat offenders involved in crimes, including murder, chain-snatching and robbery.
Twelve of them were involved in smuggling activities, including bootlegging and sand smuggling, Mr. Vijayakumar added.
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The detention under Goondas Act is for one year.
The orders are issued by the Collector based on the recommendations of the Superintendent of Police stating that the offenders are a threat to the society.
As many as 675 habitual offenders have signed bonds under Section 109 and 110 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) as a security for good behaviour.
The offenders will be shadow watched and in the event of the elements taking to unlawful or criminal activities again they will be produced before the Revenue Divisional Officer, a police official said.