The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Chennai safest among metros: Police chief

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Sep 02, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Chennai safest among metros: Police chief

Staff Reporter

In all 442 persons have been detained under the Goondas Act

CHENNAI: Chennai is the safest among the metros, Greater Chennai Police Commissioner R.Nataraj said here on Thursday.

Addressing journalists after restoring property to owners, Mr. Nataraj said while the neighbouring States were facing threats from anti-social elements, Chennai had been brought under a safety net, qualifying it as the "safest," he said.

`Chathurthi'

Asked whether the police received any threat for `Vinayaga Chathurthi' celebrations from fundamentalists, he said so far there had been none. However, the entire city police strength would be mobilised to provide protection for the immersion ceremony.

Mr. Nataraj said the police would implement the High Court directions as far as the making of idols were concerned. Idols should not be made using materials such as Plaster of Paris or chemical paints, he warned.

A team of officials under supervision of the Deputy Commissioner, in each district, were reviewing pending non-bailable warrants every week and taking necessary steps to trace the criminals evading arrest.

Rs. 35 lakhs value

A total of 14 persons were arrested from whom 251 sovereigns of jewellery, one kg of silver articles, Rs. 85,000 in cash were recovered, besides two-wheelers and over 50 cellphones. The recovery was valued at Rs. 35 lakhs.Mr. Nataraj said with the arrest of one Harry Philips Michael of Selaiyur near Tambaram, the police had recovered 122 sovereigns.

He was wanted in a break-in case in the Vepery police limits. The offence took place in 1998 and the inmates lost 15 sovereigns. Police recovered property worth Rs. 9 lakhs from him, he said.

In the last eight months, the city police had detained 442 persons under the Goondas Act — rowdies 206; criminals 177; bootleggers 34; video pirates 12 and others 12.

Mr. Nataraj said the public should immediately inform the police, if they were being harassed by strangers posing as policemen.

Asked about the issuance of fake challans by the Traffic police personnel, Mr. Nataraj said he learnt about it through the media.

But, so far they have not received any complaints pertaining to that.

Last Sunday, Srimathi Mohan while returning to her home on Habibullah Road in a car, a pizza delivery vehicle hit her car.

Instead of apologising , the rider abused her and her husband before escaping from the scene.

Mr. Nataraj said if such complaints were brought to their notice severe action would be initiated against the offenders. He also cautioned pizza delivery boys, that action would be taken against them if they violated the traffic rules.

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