THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The homes of the floating population of the state capital that vacates the city during Onam season have been the favourite target of burglars until last year; however, heightened vigil by the residents associations and the police has ensured that it’s no more the case. No case except a gold theft in Vellarada and a theft attempt at Nemom was reported in the city limits last week. City police commissioner Sparjan Kumar said night patrolling system was intensified in the run up to Onam.
“Burglars tried to barge inside a house of one Sujith at Nemom on Friday brandishing a knife but he pushed them away,” said an officer attached to the special branch of the police. “Burglars from Tamil Nadu had struck Vellayani area in the past. So, local police strengthened its patrolling.” The official said people ignore the frequent request to inform police stations when they go out of town.
“However, the residents’ association representatives of the area are more watchful about strangers in these areas,” he said. An official attached to Pettah station, however, said the police not gets more calls from representatives of Residents’ association, particularly in Palkulangara area, about strangers. “They also alert us on suspicious vehicles as there was a scare for chain snatchers here in the past.”
Traffic restrictions for Onam pageantry
There will be traffic restriction across the city from 2 pm to 8 pm on Sunday on account of Onam pageantry. All the arterial areas between Kowdiar and Attakulangara will be restricted for traffic. Vehicles from NH which are heading from Thampanoor to East Fort should proceed via Peroorkada- Edappaz-hinji- Thycaud road. Once the pageantry reaches Secretariat, vehicles plying from Thampanoor and East Fort towards NH and MC road will be allowed to move out of city through Aristo junction and Panavila. Vehicles coming to the city from NH and MC road also are requested to come through same stretch. No parking will be allowed from Kowdiar to Attakulangara on MG Road and Thampanoor- Choorakkattupalayam-Killipalam- Attakulangara stretch. For more details citizens can contact 0471-2558731, 041-2558732.
Elaborate security arrangements
The city police commissioner Sparjan Kumar will head the police team which will have around 1,750 police officers. Deputy commissioners G. Siva Vikram and K.N. Ramesh Kumar will lead a team of 17 assistant police commissioners and 110 sub inspectors. The areas between East Fort and Kaudiar have been divided into five subdivisions. Apart from 223 CCTV cameras on the stretch around 100 additional CCTV cameras and 30 moving cameras have been installed. Additionally, 250 plain clothed sleuths and a number of policewomen will be fielded in for security, police said in a statement.
