Crime Rate High In Chennai: Smuggling of Arms too

Crimes such as rape, murder for gain, robbery and burglary went up in 2009 in Tamil Nadu when compared with the previous four years.

All kinds of crimes are showing an upward trend in the state, according to government statistics.

The number of murders stood at 1,273 in 2006, but steadily increased to reach 1,644 in 2009. In 2007, 1,521 people were killed in the state while in 2008 the number of people murdered touched 1,630.

Similarly murder for gain (killing somebody for their property) too went up from 74 in 2004 to 105 in 2008 and 123 in 2009.

Robbery cases almost doubled in the state in the last two years. While the police registered 662 robbery cases in 2008, the number went up to 1,144 in 2009.

Five years ago, the number of robberies was only 437. Similarly, 2009 saw 4,221 burglaries happening in the state, when compared to 3,849 in 2008.

With regard to crimes against women, rape has shown an upward trend while other crimes such as dowry deaths, molestation, sexual harassment, cruelty by husband and relatives, kidnapping of women and girls have come down, according to official figures.

Rape cases have in fact been increasing steadily over the last three years. In 2007, a total of 523 cases of rapes were reported in the state. They went up further to 573 in 2008 and increased to 596 last year.

The state police on Wednesday arrested three persons who reportedly sent weapons and ammunitions by parcel service through a well-known travel firm from Chennai to Aruppukottai.

Two 9mm pistols, two empty magazines, 27 bullets and lottery tickets worth Rs 3 crore were seized from the parcel. The accused Manikandan, Selvaraj and Kumar of Virudhunagar were arrested in connection with the case.

Following a tip-off that a gang was smuggling weapons from Chennai to Aruppukottai through a city-based travel agency, the Virudhunagar police formed a special team and laid a trap for the offenders.

"While we were waiting at the travel agency, Manikandan and Selvaraj came to take delivery of the parcel containing two 9mm pistols, two empty magazines and 27 bullets. We instantly nabbed them," police said.

On enquiry, the two admitted that Kumar had sent them to take delivery of the weapons, which were sent from Chinthadripet, Chennai. Following this, admission, the police arrested Kumar as well.

Director General of Police, Tamil Nau Ms Letika Saran on Thursday said a parcel containing arms had been sent through KPN parcel service from Chennai to Aruppukottai. In a trap laid by police, recipients of the parcel Manikandan and Selvaraj were apprehended according to a release.

On questioning, the duo said they were sent by one Kumar to receive the parcel and police, in a swift move, arrested him from Emreddipatti, the DGP said.

The parcel addressed to Meena in Aruppukottai, was sent from Chennai by one Suresh and police after arresting three people in Aruppukottai, launched massive hunt to arrest Suresh. It was also revealed that Suresh had booked 42 parcels to different places in the state which contained Nagaland lottery tickets, worth Rs three crore.

Two days ago, the air cargo Customs officials and sleuths of Intelligence Bureau arrested three people in connection with the seizure of ten pieces of telescopes used in rifles to hit long distance targets and spares of some rifles at the air cargo section at the International Airport.

"We immediately searched the Chinthadripet travel agency branch for more deta- ils and found that 43 parcels under the name Suresh was scheduled for delivery on Wednesday. On checking them we found lottery tickets worth Rs 3 crore," police said.

In an another incident, a minor breach of security near the entrance of the state secretariat, housed in the historical Fort St George, completely took the police team manning this high profile area by surprise. A heavy iron `seesaw' gate has been erected at the Fort St George to prevent further violations. Besides, the police has stepped up the vigil.

A couple of days ago, a lorry driver who was said to be in an inebriated condition rammed his vehicle onto the exit gate while proceeding on the Beach Road from Parry's Corner. Following the incident a police inspector, a sub-inspector and three constables were suspended for security lapse. It is reported that the police, who ought to have put up barricade in front of the exit gate in the evening so as to prevent the entry of vehicles into the secretariat, had failed to do so and hence they were placed under suspension.

However, following this incident, the authorities have not only installed the `seesaw' gate but also posted a police constable to keep vigil during night.

- Asian Tribune -