Stringent action would be taken for curbing violence in the coastal belt in the district, the newly-appointed District Rural Police Superintendent N. Vijayakumar has said.
The police suspect that youths addicted to liquor and drugs are behind the incidents of violence.
Patrolling has been intensified in and around Kaipamangalam, Kodungallur, Mathilakam and Methala. On Saturday night, police patrol parties took into custody 20 persons who were allegedly seen in suspicious circumstances.
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“No one will be allowed to violate the law. The police will do everything possible to protect the lives and property of the people. Organised gangs are under the police scanner,” Mr. Vijayakumar was quoted as saying.
He said that the drive against illegal sand mining had been intensified.
“A sub-inspector has been appointed in Cheruthuruthy. Deputy Superintendents of Police have been alerted to follow up every complaint from the public about illegal sand-mining and take action in a time-bound manner,” he said. The Janamaitri scheme would be implemented effectively in the adivasi belt.
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“This would also help the police monitor activities in the area, especially in the context of reports of Maoist presence in forests in the country. Police personnel have been asked to interact with residents of Malakkappara and Athirappilly, ascertain their problems and solve them,” he said.
He stated that the police would intensify its drive against narcotics. “There have been reports about sale of cannabis on the premises of schools. A few persons had been arrested in this connection in separate incidents in the district. The police will take every step to ensure that schools are free of the clutches of narcotic gangs,” he said.
Mr. Vijayakumar said that drunk driving checks in rural areas would be a regular affair.
An increasing number of cases of drunk driving was being reported in rural areas.
Of the 147 cases registered in the district for drunk driving on New Year’s eve, 128 were in rural areas.