Thiruvananthapuram: The police have intensified checking of houses and hotels hosting foreign nationals in the city. City Police Commissioner Manoj Abraham said the intensive drive comes in the wake of a nation-wide alert against terrorist and disruptive activities during the run-up to the Independence Day celebrations on August 15.

The Central security agencies have sent a "worst-case scenario" warning to all State police departments that terrorist elements could use time bombs to carry out disruptive strikes as seen in Mumbai last month.

Though there is no specific threat against Kerala or Thiruvananthapuram, the city police are not taking any chances. Security has been stepped up at the Central Stadium, the main venue of the Independence Day celebrations where Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan is scheduled to hoist the national flag on August 15 morning. The police have verified the background of those involved in the construction of the VIP gallery at the venue. The Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad is conducting regular inspections of the stadium.

The Commissioner said strict action would be taken against those who accommodate foreigners without informing the police. He said all those hosting foreign nationals should file the C-Form, a legal statement, including the passport details of foreign guests, at the Foreigner's Registration section of the Police Commissioner's office.

Several residents in the city, including some Maldivian nationals, are accommodating foreigners as paying guests without informing the police. The police are checking all such premises. Those who violate the law will be booked under the relevant sections of the Foreigner's Registration Act, 1946.

Crime prevention drive on

The Commissioner said the police have initiated a crime prevention drive in view of Onam. Five police squads have been formed to protect Onam shoppers from anti-social elements. The squads, which include plainclotheswomen, will be deployed at Statue, Overbridge, Thampanoor, East Fort and Chala. The police will also discourage traders from appropriating footpath space to sell wares.

Separate squads have been formed to check the inflow of spirit and sale of dubious quality liquor during Onam. The police are also cultivating informants in Tamil Nadu to get prior information on the movement of spirit consignments.

Marked decline in theft

The Commissioner said there had been a marked decline in the number of burglaries reported in the city. In July, only seven thefts in houses by night were reported in comparison to 24 in June. "There has been a 80 per cent reduction in crime that involves loss of property," he said. The neighbourhood watch scheme initiated by the city police had helped bring down burglaries in the city, he said. Now, nearly 1,200 citizens, including women, assist the police in patrolling residential areas in the city. By August, the number of citizens on patrol at night in the city will touch 1,800.

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