Thiruvananthapuram: The Pettah police has started preparations to secure more KAAPA detentions of goons in Puthenpalam area amidst rising tensions between the Puthepalam Rajesh and Dini Babu gang. Each time a murder happens, the gangs hibernate for six to eight months before staging a massive attack. Earlier this month, seven persons were arrested in connection with the murder of Vishnu, 19, as part of an ongoing gang war. Incidentally one of the accused, Arun, who had led the gang was released from KAAPA just two months before the murder. He was held on murder charges earlier too.
“We could have been more careful in putting him under surveillance. More detentions under KAAPA are planned. This includes some of the accused who were arrested in the murder. We cannot reveal their names as of now,” said a senior police official. The gang fight has intensified after the murder of gangster Dini Babu’s brother Sunil by rivals in December 2015. Yet another hacking happened resulting in serious injuries to two people before Vishnu’s death this month.
“KAAPA detention is just for six months, in order to ensure that the coordination between the goon and his gang has gone. The problem in Puthenpalam is there are several of these goons left outside. They continue their nefarious activities. Even if the goons in jail are released after years, the regrouping happens quickly,” the officer said. Both Dini Babu and Puthenpalam Rajesh have been in jail under KAAPA.
