Date:02/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/02/stories/2009010259700600.htm

Tamil Nadu

“Night patrols in Karur to be intensified”

Staff Reporter

Effective traffic regulation to reduce congestion in town areas on the anvil

KARUR: Following the success of night patrol in residential areas of Karur town, the system is to be strengthened, according to Superintendent of Police P. Samundeeswari.

Positive impact

Addressing the media here on Thursday, Mrs. Samundeeswari said that night patrol in select localities had a positive impact on prevention of crimes in the past year.

The beat officers had been very effective which had prompted the police administration to intensify the system, she pointed out.

During 2008, a total of 365 crimes were registered in all the stations in Karur district of which 350 have been detected. In these cases, 385 sovereigns of gold jewellery, two lorries, seven cars, 131 motor cycles, 35 LPG cylinders, 30 electric motor pump sets, and other articles all valued at Rs. 98.42 lakh have been recovered from the culprits and returned to the owners, said Mrs. Samundeeswari.

On the law and order front, the official said that 31 rowdy elements have been booked under Goondas Act and sent to prison.

Also, a total of 1,491 persons have been charged with various offences relating to prohibition enforcement, mostly pertaining to illegal sale of IMFL liquor, running illegal bars, etc.

Rise in traffic cases

As for road rules and traffic violations, she said that in 2007, petty cases numbering 39,140 were booked of which drunken driving alone accounted for 2,723 numbers. Likewise in 2008, a total of 42,701 petty cases were booked of which 5,214 pertained to drunken driving.

Recommendation for cancellation of licences have been sent in 318 cases.

Traffic regulation

The Superintendent of Police warned that police would be stricter during the current year on traffic violations.

Mrs. Samundeeswari said that definitive plans were being worked out to effectively regulate traffic and reduce congestion in town areas.

Some of the important aspects that were under consideration were creation of a two-wheeler parking zone on one side of Jawahar Bazar from Market to Mariamman Koil and four-wheeler parking from Taluk Office to Abhirami Hotel in the same Jawahar Bazar.

Traffic park

There were plans to establish a traffic park to educate and create awareness among the children of road rules and adherence to traffic guidelines, she said.