Even as the rest of the city’s revellers were getting ready to welcome the New Year, 15 men were arrested by the city shadow police as part of the drive against drugs on the eve of New Year. The police officials reported that drugs like LSD stamps and MDMA were seized from the arrested. The arrest was part of ‘operation duster’ launched for a drug-free New Year celebration.
Police arrested a Thrissur native Shine Zakaria (34) with LSD stamps from a private party at Mulavukadu and Shafik (21) from Wayanad with MDMA. MuhammedAfsal (21), Rahul (22), Sharath (27), Shijin (22), Sujith, (23), Sanju (22), Mithun (25), Rasheed (24), Shuhaib (25) and Sijin (22) was arrested from Maradu, reports TOI.
Meanwhile New Year celebrations in Kochi ended with a good note since IG P Vijayan who had asked police officers not to spoil the celebratory mood while ensuring safety during New Year celebrations.
In a circular released from the Kochi range control the police officials said that the celebrations got over without much hassle on Sunday midnight.
Police officials however also mentioned in the circular that strict actions have been taken against drunken driving as warned before.
1,030 cases were registered in Kochi range for drunken driving. The officers also maintained that no other major law and order issue surfaced except for some minor clashes in the city. 78 cases have been registered for rash and careless driving.
About 1,250 police officers were deployed in Fort Kochi. 750 police personnel were deployed at Kaloor Stadium during ISL match while another 1,000 personnel were deployed for security management in Ernakulam and Thrikkakara.
Ernakulam ACP K Laljy told TOI, “Officers were given directives to expect chances of unruly behaviour from the partying crowd as they would be reacting ‘under influence’. Personnel were given strict orders not to interfere with the crowd unless a law and order violation happened. Officers managed to maintain security while allowing celebrations to continue without any shortcomings.”
Stringent actions were taken by the cops against illegal activities during New Year celebrations. The motor vehicles department (MVD) cancelled 37 licences after drivers were arrested for drunk driving and rash behaviour. Fifteen persons were booked for driving without a licence while a total fine of Rs1,30,000 was collected by MVD during the drive that started at 5pm on Sunday and went on till 3am on Monday, the report added.
180 cases were registered for drinking in public space and 105 for creating nuisance under influence. A case was registered for misbehaving with a woman while three cases were registered for display of obscenity in public.