The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Police `close' to solving murder

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 14, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Police `close' to solving murder

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI, JULY 13. A day after the gruesome daylight murder of 28-year-old housewife Anitha in a flat in Anna Nagar, police said they had narrowed down the list of suspects and were on the verge of cracking the case. They, however, refused to disclose any details.

According to sources, the investigation is looking at whether the burglary of a couple of bangles and the five-sovereign `thaali' from the murder scene was itself a diversion. The investigators now feel that the motive may not necessarily be monetary gain. Six police teams are working on the case, Anna Nagar police said.

Meanwhile, the City Police today brought out an advisory for the public listing 17 steps, which residents could take to protect themselves.

The statement from the Commissionerate, issued this evening, said the police had commenced `combing operations' across the city. Three to six booths had been opened in every police district and round-the-clock vigil was being maintained. Efforts had been taken to book under the Goondas Act criminals as well as those who purchase stolen goods.

The police conceded that despite their efforts there had been a spate of burglaries. But residents could extend a helping hand in crime control. The police listed a series of measures that could be taken, particularly by residents of multi-storeyed apartments.

Residents of flats could form welfare associations and employ watchmen to maintain vigil, the note said. Barring the main gate, entrances from other areas could be sealed off to prevent entry of outsiders. Identity cards could be issued to persons who delivered milk, newspaper, daily groceries and the like.

In the case of bungalows, the police advised the residents to instal security cameras. There were also other affordable options like intercoms for multi-storeyed apartments. Residents could also instal a siren, which when sounded by any of the residents, could alert others in the building to a burglary attempt.

Another solution could be a cordless alarm system. The police note said every house in an apartment could have such alarms to alert neighbours if something untoward happened. The police requested residents not to remain "silent spectators" to any crime.

"The residents can immediately call police control. People should help the police in solving crime," the note added.

There have been three murders for gain, seven gang burglaries, 23 burglaries and 74 chain-snatching incidents in the city this year so far. The police claimed to have solved all the gang burglaries, 21 of the burglaries and 61 of the chain-snatching cases. So far, stolen goods worth Rs. 2.3 crores had been restored to owners.

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