Anti-social elements rounded up in Chennai

Chennai (PTI): In a "storming operation" led by top officials of the Chennai Police on Thursday night, 1200 persons including anti-social elements, were rounded up and arrested as a "preventive measure" here, police said.

According to an official press release, officers in the ranks of Joint Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners were involved in the operation, as part of the 'anti-rowdy; drive that has been going on for some time in Tamil Nadu, and in Chennai too.

Persons including 50 rowdies and 150 history-sheeters were arrested.

As part of the action, 800 persons were penalised for violating the mandatory helmet rule, the release said.

About 100 cases of drunken driving were also booked.

After surprise inspections in North Chennai, nine personnel, including four women cops, were suspended for "dereliction of duty," the release said.

The Chennai police has been conducting these "storming operations" and the latest effort comes close on the heels of a recent announcement by the DGP, K P Jain, that he would continue with the crackdown on rowdies in the state and its capital.

Police had intensified the crackdown on rowdies a few months back, after the Tamil Nadu government came under attack from various quarters over increased rowdy menace.

Of late, history-sheeters had also been gunned down in various parts of the state.