Pattoor goon attack triggers 8 arrests in 3 months under Kaapa

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The district administration has decided to act tough with vigorous measures while dealing with the requests made by the police for the preventive arrests under the Kerala Anti-social Activities Prevention Act (Kaapa). If the last two years had witnessed the arrest of three and nine criminals respectively under Kaapa, this year within three months eight criminals have been booked under the act.
It was after the Pattoor goon attack incident that the district administration started taking strong decisions on the Kaapa requests made by the police.
The city police had come under scathing criticism since they could not arrest Om Prakash, the main accused in the Pattoor goon attack incident that occurred on January 8.
Deputy Commissioner of Police V Ajith said the eight detention orders issued by the district collector in three months is an indication that the efforts of the city police in curbing anti-social activities are bearing fruits.
“A person has to be involved in three criminal cases in a span of seven years to be arrested in Kaapa,” he said.
“The district administration has been actively coordinating with the city police in issuing detention orders on the requests. I cannot speak why the detentions were lesser in the previous years, but after I assumed charge eight detention orders were issued in the city and 15 orders in the rural limits,” said district collector Geromic George.
The quality of application for preventive arrests is also a reason highlighted behind the rejection in issuing detention orders.
“Now the district police and the district administration have been effectively coordinating while considering Kaapa detention requests,” the collector said.
In 2021, just three detention orders were issued by the district collector when the number of requests given by the police was 21. In 2022 just nine detention orders were issued, when the number of requests was 51.
However, this year eight out of the 20 requests given by the city police have been approved by the district collector.
In addition to this, nine requests are actively being considered. Gangster Om Prakash was arrested five times under Kerala Anti-social Activities Prevention Act , Puthanpalam Rajesh four times and Paratta Arun four times.