Police to keep close watch on history-sheeters in west zone

Coimbatore: Close on the heels of the encounter killing of a rowdy in Salem, west zone inspector general of police K Periaiah has urged police officers in his jurisdiction to keep a close watch on history-sheeters to prevent them from creating law and order problems.
He has instructed deputy superintendents of police of Coimbatore, Erode, Tirupur, Nilgiris, Salem, Namakkal, Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts, which fall under his control, to visit police stations in their limits every week and check details of history-sheeters.
As per the data available with the west zone police, there are 480 history-sheeters in Coimbatore rural limits alone.
“Those who are repeatedly involved in robberies, burglaries, chain snatching cases, murders and assault cases are listed as history-sheeters. All the inspectors of police in the west zone are advised to closely monitor their movements and submit their details to the higher officials every week,” said a police officer.
According to the officer, there are 502 history-sheeters in Erode district, 378 in Tirupur district, 277 in Nilgiris district, 658 in Salem district, 687 in Namakkal district, 371 in Dharmapuri district and 689 history-sheeters in Krishnagiri district.
“A few days ago, a history-sheeter, identified as S Kadhirvelu, 25, of Mettupatty Dadanur near Veeranam in Salem, was killed in encounter after he assaulted police officials. He was facing more than seven murder cases. Salem, Namakkal and Krishnagiri districts have the highest number of history-sheeters. Senior police officials are advised to keep a close watch on them,” the police officer said.
The model code of conduct is still in force in the state and it will be lifted only on May 23 evening. Hence senior police officials are delaying a meeting with Salem and Coimbatore range DIGs and superintendents of police to discuss ways to control the anti-social-elements in the west zone, the officer said. “Special branch staff have also been asked to closely monitor anti-social elements. We will control such elements with iron hands.”