The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Need for more vigilance in daytime too comes to light

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 28, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Need for more vigilance in daytime too comes to light

L. Srikrishna

15 house break-in cases in Ambattur in October
Many police stations in suburbs have less strength

CHENNAI: Crimes committed in daytime, including the recent murder of a woman in Mogappair, seem to be posing a formidable challenge to the city police.

Though several reasons have been attributed to the spurt in such incidents, police officers admit that surveillance between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. was insufficient as compared to night patrols.

The murder for gain of a young woman at an apartment in Mogappair a week ago occurred at around 3 p.m. In three other cases reported in the recent past, the offence was committed in daytime, the modus operandi being similar. Apart from the grave offences, the city also witnessed a few incidents of waylaying, cash missing, chain-snatching and house break-ins during the day.

According to police, in October alone, as many as 15 cases of house break-in were reported from Ambattur and peripheries.

Most of the crimes were committed when the residents were away for work during the day. An estimated 150 sovereigns of gold ornaments and Rs. 2.5 lakh in cash were stolen in these incidents.

A few days ago, police said that on the Anna Nagar Main Road, a young software professional was relieved of her gold chain while returning home in the evening.

Though shocked, the woman chased and nabbed the accused with the help of passers-by. The culprit was handed over to the police .

A police officer said the night patrol regime was well in place, with an officer in the rank of Deputy Commissioner being in charge. He would take instructions from senior officers and carry out the duties from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. or 6 a.m.

However, such a practice was absent in daytime, though it was essential for a metropolitan city, he said, on condition of anonymity.

Along with the four-wheeler Hyundai patrol vehicles, blue brigades and yellow brigades personnel move on their two-wheelers during the night. There are over 450 identified beats in various parts of the city.

As per the night patrol protocol, the personnel on the rounds are supposed to check establishments such as TASMAC outlets, and ensure they are shut by 11 p.m. Random vehicular checks are done, with rash and drunk drivers being booked for violations.

However, the officials said they were expected to attend meetings called by superiors, attend to court work and monitor VVIP movement during the day.

Demonstrations and agitations, both impromptu and planned ones, make things difficult for the law and order personnel.

“We get hardly two or three hours’ rest between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.,” an official said.

Pointing out that many police stations in the suburban pockets functioned with less than the sanctioned strength of police personnel, a senior officer said staff shortage must be addressed as early as possible.

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