Ernakulam Rural police nab 73 absconders in one-day special drive

The Ernakulam Rural police on Tuesday (March 10) arrested 73 people who had been reportedly absconding after failing to appear in court in non-bailable cases and produced them before the court in a one-day special operation as part of the security preparedness ahead of the Assembly elections.

The highest number of arrests was made in the Puthencruz subdivision with 23 evaders landing in the police net, followed by Munambam subdivision with 21 and Aluva subdivision with 20, the police said.

As part of action on long-pending warrants, 20 persons were arrested, while four persons who had reportedly gone into hiding during investigations were also taken into custody.

During the special drive, the police also booked 567 persons for allegedly violating traffic rules. In cases related to narcotic drugs, 34 persons were arrested, the highest number being in the Perumbavoor subdivision with 14.

A total of 91 persons were taken into custody for offences such as consuming liquor in public places and illegal possession of liquor, with Munambam subdivision reporting the highest number of cases at 28. Action was also taken against 59 persons for selling banned tobacco products.

The police also verified the current status of habitual offenders, persons released on bail and those who had come out of prison. Inspections were carried out at railway stations, bus stands, parking areas, public places and lodges as part of the drive.

The special drive, conducted on the directions of Ernakulam Range DIG Arul R.B. Krishna and District Police chief (Ernakulam rural) K.S. Sudarshan, will continue in the coming days, the police said.