95% goons nabbed by Kerala Police let off on station bail

95% goons nabbed by Kerala Police let off on police station bail
As part of "Operation Kaval" the police had carried out searches for 43,980 persons, raided 20,054 houses and summoned 13,054 people to police stations.

Thiruvananthapuram: Organised crimes have become the order of the day and goons act with impunity across Kerala. Even as the police launched a crackdown a month ago, wanton attacks by goons continue as proved the brutal murder of a teen by a gangster a few days ago in Kottayam town. Such crimes had to be expected as out of the 14,287 goons and other anti-social elements arrested in the past one month only 650 landed in jails.

The Kerala Police launched "Operation Kaval" on December 18, 2021 to curb organised crimes. About 95 per cent of the hoodlums who were arrested were let off on police station bail after getting them to agree on one of the bail conditions.

For instance, KT Jomon, the gangster arrested over the murder of the Kottayam youth, Shan Babu, on Monday was earlier jailed under the Kerala Anti Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA) and banished from the district. But he was released soon on liberal grounds.

As part of "Operation Kaval" the police had carried out searches for 43,980 persons, raided 20,054 houses and summoned 13,054 people to police stations. As many as 1,182 accused who were absconding were taken into custody during the operation and the bail of 63 persons was cancelled.

Despite these actions, the police have not been able to even touch the notorious gang leaders at many places, including in the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. The latest figures released by the police reveal that there are 7,200 goons and anti-social elements with more than one case pending against them and 380 notorious goons are yet to be nabbed.

543 convicted prisoners are out of jail

What helped the untimely release of several arrested ruffians was the COVID-19 pandemic. Hundreds of prisoners were released on bail and parole during this period.

At present there are about 6,000 prisoners in jails across the state. The reluctance on the part of district collectors and Deputy Inspector Generals of Police who head various ranges to invoke KAAP is also helping goons to escape imprisonment.

As many as 543 prisoners who were convicted in various cases, are currently out of jails in Kerala. These prisoners include those who have been convicted for murder and rape. They remain outside the jail due to the stay order of the Supreme Court in view of the pandemic.

Now 720 more prisoners have filed an appeal before the authorities concerned for release citing the apex court order.

Drug addicts behind grave crimes

Many criminals who were involved in murder and attacks in the state in the recent days were drug addicts, the police found. The State Police Chief has now directed the district police chiefs and heads of various units to nab those involved in narcotic drugs racket. Small-time drug vendors and suppliers too won't be spared. Raids and surprise checks have been carried out in hotels and resorts for the past three days.

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