Kannur: Serious crimes being reported regularly from various parts of the district of Kannur have triggered a panic button among the people here.
The mobility hubs- railway stations and bus stands- are the centres of most crimes being reported from the city. This has raised concern as these spots are frequented by a large number of people round the clock.
Despite the stringent security arrangements at bus stands and railway stations and several CCTV cameras, the premises surrounding the stations continue to remain unsafe.
Safe inside, unsafe outside
Very few crimes like thefts have been reported from inside the bus stands and railway stations in Kannur district.
Very few cases were registered at Kannur, Payyannur, Thalasserry and Mahe railway stations during the last three months and mostly related to crimes which were committed in running trains.
Measures like regular inspections in trains and on the platforms, checks by the dog squad in night trains passing through the stations and surprise checks have all prevented crimes to a great extend.
The situation is similar at the bus stands too. Police officers conduct checks often at Payyannur, Iritty and Thalasserry bus stands as part of night patrolling. Habitual offenders and drunkards are rounded up by these forces but barely ever are any criminals nabbed.
A police patrol vehicle is always stationed at Kannur Old Bus Stand while five other vehicles cover other areas of the city.
Police officers are on duty round the clock at all major KSRTC bus stands in the district also.
Danger lurks outside
Authorities have put in place tight security at the railway stations and bus stands, but several crimes are taking place in the surroundings. Some time ago, a youth walking home from the railway station in the city was waylaid and his gold chain, stolen. The culprits, a gang which travelled in a van to commit robberies, were nabbed only recently.
In another incident, a labourer belonging to another state was hacked on his neck a couple of days ago near the Kannur railway station.
Also, at Payyannur, a jewellery was robbed after smashing the CCTV cameras in the shop a few days ago.
According to the police, most of these gangs travel in vehicles and take the narrow byroads, making it difficult to nab them.
In addition, the police have seized ganja, banned tobacco products and smuggled liquor which were brought from Mangaluru and Salem. But such items are often found abandoned on trains and at bus stands.
As a result, tracing the culprits is not an easy task, admit the police. Recently, the police had destroyed some ganja plants which were growing behind the Iritty bus stand.
The police have advised people to avoid unnecessary night travels but everyone is wondering when safe journey during the night would be a reality in Kannur.
