Goondas Act detenues in Kovai range on the rise

The number of detenues under the Goondas Act in Coimbatore range comprising Coimbatore, Tirupur, Erode and the Nilgiris districts has risen significantly this year as compared to 2018. As many as 97 were detained under the draconian law in these four districts since January. This is almost an increase in figure by half from the 67 detenues under the Act last year.

Of those detained this year, 14 people were involved in sexual offences against children. In addition, 17 rowdies, 54 burglars and 12 offenders were held under the Act under prohibition crimes. Also Deepak, a Maoist arrested in the district, has been booked under the National Security Act, DIG G Karthikeyan told media. The police in Coimbatore range have booked 13 case of rape against women and 195 Pocsocases on sexual assault against children. Those accused of involving in all these offences were arrested and are facing action through court.

“Eighteen cases have ended in convictions. The court has awarded death penalty in one case, life imprisonment in five cases and in the remaining cases, it has been seven years of imprisonment and an equal quantum of punishment,” the DIG said. “The police, with a mission to prevent crimes against children and women have been popularising the ‘Kavalan SOS’ app. And stringent action is being taken against those involving in crimes against women and children. In Coimbatore range alone, as many as 60,499 people have downloaded the Kavalan app,” Karthikeyan added.

Of the 116 murders reported in Coimbatore range, 113 cases were cracked and the accused persons were arrested. In 23 murder cases, the offenders were awarded punishment by the court. It also includes a sentence of hanging and many life imprisonment terms.

Of the 150 incidents of chain snatching cases, the police have cracked 138 cases and 488 sovereigns of gold jewellery were recovered and handed over to its rightful owners. Further, a total of 1140 sovereigns of gold jewellery worth an estimated Rs 10.24 crore, two-wheelers, four-wheelers and other properties were recovered and handed over to their owners.

In the Coimbatore range, the vehicular accidents have come down by 14 per cent while compared to last year.“Last year, 1427 people died in accidents. By conducting road safety awareness activities and through proper implementation of the Motor Vehicles Act, the number of fatalities was brought down to 1,019 so far this year. Almost 400 fatalities have been reduced by 28 per cent while compared to last year,” the DIG added.

Further, the police have collected Rs10.09 crore as fine in 11,07,275 traffic violation cases this year, while the fine amount collected last year was only about Rs 6.41 crore from 5,08,865 cases. Also, the licence of 49, 275 persons were cancelled for involving in violations under the Motor Vehicles Act. A total of 95,758 awareness events were conducted for school and college students. The DIG also said that 366 electronic devices were given to the police and 2,85,795 cases were booked with them. Besides, a fine amount of Rs 2.43 crore has beendeposited directly in bank accounts through the e-challan system, Karthikeyan said.