Kerala - Kochi   

City police pinning their hopes on goonda act

Staff Reporter

To restrict movement of repeated offenders

KOCHI: The city police are pinning hopes on the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Ordinance, known as goonda act, to restrict the movement of repeated offenders.

The recent arrest of a couple of thieves for stealing and selling trucks by Thripunithura police points to the fact that the system is still not in place to track the movement of known and convicted criminals and that the city borders continue to be porous for vehicle lifters.

“Even though follow-ups were there, it is not possible to track the movement of inter-State criminals effectively. Under the goonda act, we can detain criminals once we get indications of their possibility of committing crimes. If these persons land in a particular area without valid reasons, their motive could be easily proven,” said Manoj Abraham, City Police Commissioner. Those arrested by Thripunithura police were specialised in stealing trucks and heavy vehicles and selling them as scrap after dismantling the vehicle at markets in neighbouring Tamil Nadu. Shajeer of Mavelikkara and Ramson of Chullikkal were arrested on charges of stealing 13 lorries and three motorbikes in last 13 months. Among the accused, Shajeer had served sentence on charges of stealing last year.

Even though increased police presence within the city limits brought down cases of vehicle theft, it was a different story in city suburbs and rural areas. “We could detect nearly eight cases last month,” said Mr. Abraham.

“We have enhanced policing of exit points and patrolling has been intensified after 11 p.m. All vehicles moving during night hours are thoroughly checked,” he said.

But it has not proved effective in curbing vehicle thefts. “Night patrolling has been increased, but instances of vehicle thefts are increasing,” said Bijo Alexander, Circle Inspector, Thripunithura.

Those in the force were also of the opinion that Goonda Act could help bring down crimes such as housebreaks and thefts, as detected by Fort Kochi police on Monday. Follow-up investigations on a couple of persons convicted for housebreaks led to cracking crimes committed in 1997.

The police could prove that Rakeeb, 32, Subair, 34, Chandi Babu, 36, of Calvethy and Sathar of Palluruthy were involved in a series of housebreaks committed at Mattancherry. “Their modus operandi was to break into houses during daytime. The investigation was on the basis of assumption that these were committed by locals. Thus we questioned Sathar and Subair, who were serving sentences in housebreaks and thefts and this led to the cracking other cases,” said Amose Mammen, Circle Inspector, Fort Kochi.

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