Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore   

Heavy rush for `Kaanum Pongal'

Staff Reporter

Tight security at picnic spots and recreation centres

FESTIVE MOOD: A large crowd turned out at the V.O.C Park in the city on Wednesday. - PHOTO: S. SIVA SARAVANAN

Coimbatore: The Coimbatore City and Rural Police stepped up security in view of the heavy rush on account of `Mattu Pongal' and `Kaanum Pongal' on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Picnic spots and recreation centres in the city and other parts of the district have been witnessing a heavy inflow of tourists making use of the holidays of three to four days for the Pongal festival. In the absence of any other avenues for entertainment, Coimbatoreans as usual have been visiting VOC Park, cinema theatres, Boat Club at the Singanallur tank and the botanical garden at the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University and various other parks besides thronging temples.

Reinforcements from the Armed Reserve and Tamil Nadu Special Police Battalion, were deployed in large numbers, said the Commissioner of Police, Coimbatore City, C.K. Gandhi Rajan.

Crime stoppers team and Anti-Chain Snatching Squad (ACSS) personnel on motorcycles were also pressed into service at picnic spots and shopping areas to ensure swift action against criminals indulging in chain snatching, lifting bags and vehicles. Presence of police in large numbers would deter criminals, Mr.Gandhi Rajan said.

Policemen in civil dress from the crime wing too were deputed to look for notorious criminals, habitual offenders and ex-convicts. In Coimbatore Rural District, the Superintendent of Police, A.T. Duraikumar, said there was a huge turnout of visitors at Monkey Falls, theme parks at Perur and Mettuppalayam besides Aliyar, Thirumurthy and Amaravathy dams. In tourist places along the water bodies, the policemen were asked to make sure that children never ventured into deep water.

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