The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Systematic operation to apprehend criminals Law & order

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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Systematic operation to apprehend criminals Law & order

The police are on the look out for new elements which, the law enforcers say, is a cause for concern, writes
R. Rajaram

— File Photo: R. Ashok

Alert: Policemen checking a car at Mannarpuram junction in Tiruchi.

A dragnet has been spread out for perpetrators of grave crimes and rowdy elements on the run in districts falling under the Central Zone.

A systematic operation to apprehend the criminals commenced last month with clear strategies and formation of special teams comprising hand-picked police personnel.

The assistance of the State Intelligence Department and the ‘Q’ Branch, a wing exclusively monitoring the activities of the Tamil ultras and Left wing extremists, was being taken as and when required in this task.

The latest operation is in response to the spate of grave crimes involving hired goons reported in the recent times in Thanjavur Range, comprising Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts.

This time, it has been narrowed down even on those harbouring or having any association with the criminals as well.

The police already possess profiles of targeted criminals and are into updating the profiles. They are also on the look out for the emerging and new elements, which the law enforcers say is a cause for concern.

Authorities say that the anti-social elements had been categorised into ‘A++’, ‘A+’, ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’. Those falling under the ‘A++’ were the gang leaders and their primary associates, while those figuring in the ‘A+’ were hit men. Those in the categories A, B and C become a threat when they collude or act in association with the first two categories of criminals.

Police say their primary agenda is to nab criminals who are absconding after involvement in grave crimes such as murder, attempt to murder and hurt cases.

Their second priority was to target the rowdy elements.

A simultaneous drive has also been launched to pick up those against whom non-bailable warrants were pending.

The authorities say within a month around 50 absconding accused allegedly involved in murder cases and 70 persons reportedly involved in attempt to murder cases and over 200 hurt case accused were held across the Central Zone, comprising Tiruchi Rural, Perambalur, Pudukottai, Ariyalur, Karur, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagappatinam districts.

Those held had been absconding for nearly six months, say the authorities. As many as 21 persons were detained under the Goondas Act in the Zone during this period to deter them from committing crimes again.

The arrest of some of the accused had enabled the police in preventing some murders, says a senior police officer.

Attributing the progress so far to “team effort,” the Inspector General of Police, Central Zone, Karan Singha, said that the drive would continue across the zone.

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