Massive crackdown by police against anti-socials across state

Chennai topped the list of highest number of arrests with 105 persons. In a massive combing operation, the police made the maximum number of arrests in the sensitive southern districts. Nearly 430 history sheeters were held from the districts. In Madurai city, 17 were arrested and 32 were held in the Madurai rural areas. Police detained 45 in Sivaganga district, 48 in Ramanathapuram, 77 in Thoothukudi and 31 in Virudhunagar. Similar crackdowns were made in Kanniyakumari, Dindigul and Tirunelveli too.

The arrests were made based on the intelligence alert from the Director General of Police office. 

In the western districts, police detained more than 270 history sheeters, rowdies and goondas till Monday afternoon. “Most of the arrested persons were in the age group of 25 years to 35 years and did not have affiliation to any political party. They were persons who would indulge in violence for cash or other monetary benefits. These arrests were made to ensure that the people felt secure and instil fear among trouble makers,” a senior police officer told DTNext. 

The number of persons who were arrested in the eight districts in the west was as follows: The Nilgiris – 26, Coimbatore – 65, Tirupur – 51, Erode – 17, Namakkal – 24, Salem – 53, Dharmapuri – 19 and Krishnagiri – 15.

In the central districts, as many as 156 persons were taken into preventive custody. Tiruchy topped the list with 42 arrests followed by Tiruvarur at 40 detentions. Nearly 24 persons were held in Thanjavur, 22 in Nagapattinam, 7 in Ariyalur, 3 in Perambalur, 4 in Karur and 14 in Pudukottai.