A no man’s land under Padi flyover

Two days ago, Villivakkam police arrestedtwo couples for robbing a painting contractor in the guise of soliciting him for commercial sex near Padi flyover. According to sources, it is one of the few incidents in which police decided to take action,while many complaints are not even considered for investigation.

What makes it easier for the police to pass the buck is a curious fact: The flyover falls under the jurisdiction of four police stations. The stretch towards Tirumangalam falls under Tirumangalam police station limits, the stretch to Ambattur under Rajamangalam police limits, the arm towards Nadhamuni theatre under Villivakkam police, and the road going towards Kolathur is manned by Kolathur police.

The area beneath the flyover is dark and deserted in the night hours, making it easier for robbers to target people.

Thamizhselvan (22) (name changed) of Ambattur, who works in a popular automobile spares manufacturing unit in Padi, lost his mobile phone and Rs 1,000 in cash to these gangs when he was rushing to work for the night-shift. “When I went to the Rajamangalam police station, they asked me why I went there despite knowing that transgender persons stand there. When I said that I want to register a complaint, they asked me to go Tirumangalam station as the flyover falls in their jurisdiction. I faced similar situation there too. In the end, I could not register a complaint,” he said. In the last one month, about 10 such incidents have been reported there, though no case has been registered.

However, when contacted Rajamangalam crime inspector Rajkumar denied the allegations and said that they book cases irrespective of jurisdiction where the crime takes place. “Senior officers have asked us to book cases first and then transfer them to the station concerned if it falls out of their jurisdiction. The arrest by Villivakkam police is an example how we act swiftly to nab the offenders,” he said.

Vijayakumari, Joint Commissioner (West), said whenever such incidents were reported, the police strength at the spot is increased.