The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Madurai News : Unsolved crimes on the increase in city

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Aug 08, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Madurai

Unsolved crimes on the increase in city

L. Srikrishna

200 cases of two-wheeler missing complaints remain under investigation for several months

MADURAI: Unsolved crimes in the Temple City appear to be on the rise. Vehicle missing cases, incidents of burglaries, thefts and attention-diversion cases were figuring on top of the crime chart, closely followed by cases of murder and murder-for-gain, police said.

Though Commissioner of Police K. Nandabalan said a few months ago that special teams had been formed to investigate cases of attention-diversion and chain-snatching incidents, the investigating officers had not yet solved them, the police admit.

The number of two-wheeler missing cases has touched an all-time high in many police stations as they continue to be “under investigation.”

According to police officers, over 200 cases of two-wheeler missing complaints remain under investigation for several months. There was no clue about any specific person or gang behind the crimes. On a single day, as many as seven two-wheelers were reported missing, they admit.

Recently, a couple who had boarded an omnibus at Periyar bus stand lost Rs. 2 lakh and about 65 sovereigns of gold ornaments kept in a suitcase.

Within a few minutes, after placing the baggage inside the bus, they found the bag missing.

Thideer Nagar police are investigating.

Lone women, victims

Bag lifting complaints at the Mattuthavani Integrated Bus Stand also are on the rise. Attention-diversion cases, which stand at around 25, remain “under investigation.” Women, who travel alone fall prey to tricksters.

A senior police officer said that they had been conducting surprise operations on “bag lifters” in bus stands. Night patrolling was conducted by police personnel on two-wheelers which enabled them to check small lanes as well. The number of chain snatching incidents had fallen significantly, he pointed out.

Murder and murder-for-gain cases under investigation accounted for two cases each, the officer added.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu