70 ganja smugglers and peddlers arrested in Tirunelveli City since January 1

A total of 70 ganja smugglers and peddlers have been arrested by the Tirunelveli City Police since January 1 and steps are being taken to attach their properties and freeze bank accounts, Commissioner of Police, Tirunelveli City, N. Manivannan has informed.

During an informal chat with reporters after flagging-off the ‘Road Safety Awareness Month’ celebrations with a bike rally, he said the bank accounts of ganja smugglers and the peddlers were being frozen while their assets attached so as to cripple them financially. The drive against narcotic substances and illicit sale of liquor would be intensified.

He also informed that the police had erected lights in places wherever it was necessary and tied ropes to ensure the safety of the devotees taking padayatra to Tiruchendur.

When asked about the security being provided to the criminals even as they were being escorted to the courts, he said due attention was being given by taking them in police vehicles with due protection and in the public transport system with armed police personnel.

He informed that surveys were on in areas like Tirunelveli Town, Vannarpet, Murugankurichi, Palayamkottai Market, Samathanapuram, Palayamkottai bus-stand etc. experiencing traffic snarl regularly and traffic regulations would be effected accordingly in these places to avert traffic congestion and consequent accidents.

While the Commissioner of Police honoured the bike riders with helmet with tree saplings, he gifted helmets to bike-riders without helmet and appealed to them to wear helmet always while riding two-wheelers to avert fatal accidents.

“Our objective is not to penalise the bike-riders without helmet, but to make them realise the need for wearing the headgear always,” the CoP said.