Thiruvananthapuram: The District Collectors and the Inspector Generals of Police (IGs) in Kerala are reportedly hesitant in either sending goons to jails as part of preventive custody or deporting them to other districts under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act or KAAPA. This laxity comes at a time when contract gangs, known locally as quotation gangs, and notorious goons have unleashed a reign of terror across the state.
As per the Act, the District Police Superintendents gave the names of 145 goons to the District Collectors till November 30 for placing them under preventive detention. About 29 persons were arrested as per preventive detention. But no decision came on the preventive detention of others.
The top police officials are alleging that the Collectors are not taking a stern stance because of political pressure. But refuting this argument, the IAS officers said that that the Collectors are dithering because they get adverse remarks from the High Court when the accused get favourable orders against preventive detention. Whatever be the reason, the goons benefit.
As many as 150 names were identified for arrests under preventive detention last year. In 51 cases, the Collectors did not sign the orders for preventive detention. One person, who was inside the jail under preventive detention, managed to get released from the jail as per the High Court's favourable order. About 31 goons, who were identified for preventive detention, were let off by the State Government's advisory committee.
The IGs have the power to deport habitual offenders. Though SPs recommended the invocation of KAAPA on 201 goons, the IGs only issued 117 orders. The IGs are refusing to issue orders by pointing out loopholes in the reports submitted by the SPs. But basically, the reason is said to be political pressure. In 2010, around 160 names were sent by the SPs for taking action. Only 72 persons were deported for a period ranging from 6 months to 1 year. During deportation period, the rule is that the person deported should not enter his home district.
The Intelligence Department had reported a year ago that large-scale mafia operations were thriving again in the state after a gap. Some of the most notorious goons held a secret meeting in Thiruvananthapuram recently. Though the then DGP issued orders to the District Police Chiefs to arrest mafia dons and goons under the KAAPA, nothing happened.
4 DISTRICTS IDENTIFIED AS 'QUOTATION' HUBS
The main hubs of goons and contract gangs are Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha and Ernakulam districts. Kochi is the nerve centre of such organised gangs. They will take up any assignment from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod for money.
LOOPHOLES IN EXECUTING KAAPA
The High Court of Kerala had earlier pinpointed the lapses committed by the police while invoking KAAPA provisions. The court then said that police officers should be given training on how to deal with such cases.
The court also pointed out lack of coordination among the police officials while handling preventive detention cases. Many times the court quashed preventive detention orders because of the failure of the police in mentioning the main factors that necessitated preventive detention in their report.
TELLING NUMBERS
Actual number of criminals to be deported: 201
Number of criminals already deported: 117
Number of goons to be sent to jail: 145
Number of those who were sent to jail: 39
