In a concerted effort to curb criminal activities, police across the Ernakulam Range have apprehended 75 notorious offenders in the last eight months. These arrests were carried out under the stringent provisions of the Kerala Anti-social Activities (Prevention) Act, commonly known as KAAPA.
This aggressive crackdown was spearheaded by Ernakulam Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Sateesh Beno. Decisions for arrest were carefully based on the severity and frequency of crimes committed by these individuals, with actions taken subsequent to detailed reports from the various District Police Chiefs.
Alappuzha district saw the highest number of detentions with 37 arrests, while Ernakulam Rural followed with 26, Kottayam with 11, and Idukki with one. A notable arrest in Ernakulam Rural was Rithu, who is implicated in the horrific Vadakkekara triple murder case. Similar proactive steps were taken in Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Idukki to apprehend repeat offenders under the KAAPA statute.
Beyond arrests, 91 individuals have been subjected to exile orders, prohibiting them from entering the areas governed by their respective police stations for six months to a year. Alappuzha accounted for 38 such exiles, Kottayam 27, Ernakulam Rural 19, and Idukki seven. DIG Beno personally issued these directives, emphasizing that any violation of these bans would lead to immediate arrest without bail. He affirmed the department’s commitment to ‘stringent action… against habitual offenders and those who pose a threat to peace and public order.’
In another preventative measure, 133 individuals with criminal records have been mandated to report weekly to their local Station House Officers. This group includes 37 from Alappuzha, 36 from Ernakulam Rural, 13 from Idukki, and 11 from Kottayam, ensuring ongoing surveillance and accountability.
The police also carried out 19 preventive arrests under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PITNDPS) Act. Additionally, 2,961 individuals were required to sign bonds pledging good behavior, and all these individuals remain under active police surveillance to prevent further criminal activity.