Sabarimala:

She was crying while searching for her father and other pilgrims from Ooty in Tamil Nadu after getting separated from them in the sea of devotees near the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala.

However, a wristband provided by the police before climbing the holy hills, bearing the name and phone number of her father, helped Shivarthika reunite with him.

The crying girl was found wandering among the crowd of devotees by Civil Police Officers Akshay and Sreejith.

Using the contact details on the wristband, they quickly located her father, Vignesh, turning her tears into a smile of relief.

Shivarthika expressed her gratitude to the “Police Uncles” before continuing her pilgrimage with her father.

This innovative initiative by the police has been a boon for many such children, according to an official release issued here on Friday.

“So far, over 5,000 children under the age of 10 have been provided with these wristbands. The bands are distributed by female police officers at Pamba as part of this safety measure,” police said.

In addition to children, elderly people and those with severe disabilities are also provided with wristbands for the same purpose.

These wristbands carry vital information, including the person’s name, location, and the contact number of their accompanying relative or guardian.

The police stated that over 500 wristbands are distributed daily, and this initiative has proven especially beneficial for pilgrims arriving from other states.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Chennai:

The Namakkal police in Tamil Nadu detained a container allegedly carrying huge cash robbed from three ATMs in Kerala after a 12-kilometre chase on Friday morning. One of the suspects was shot dead, while another man in the seven-member gang was shot in the leg.

Two policemen, including an inspector, were also injured when the gang attempted to flee after attacking them.

Police say seven men were in the container truck and when the rear door was opened they assaulted the police, forcing them to fire in self defence.  

“Two of our police personnel have been injured in the attack,” T Senthil Kumar, Inspector General of Police, Western Range, told NDTV.

A gang of seven, all from Haryana, robbed three ATMs of State Bank of India in Thrissur today. The loot is reported to be over Rs 60 lakh. The cops are still counting the money.

“We are counting the cash. We will know the details of the seizure soon after which we’d issue a statement,” said the police.

The container truck, say investigators, did not stop on the highway when the Tamil Nadu police intercepted it and the vehicle continued to move hitting two wheelers.

“The gang is from Haryana. We had to open fire in self defence as they assaulted us when the rear door was opened. We have arrested six,” said a police officer to NDTV. 

A car without a number plate concealed inside the truck was seized from them. The cops have also recovered weapons, including guns, from the thieves.

“Their modus operandi is they use this car for recce of the ATMs they plan to break open and then put it back in the container so CCTVs will never get images of this car. They also carry gas cutters and other equipment to break open ATMs,” said Mr Shankar Jiwal, Director General of Police and Head of the Police Force in Tamil Nadu.

Gas cutters and other similar equipment were also found in the container.
 

Chennai:

Women police in the state force will be entitled to one year’s maternity leave, and upon resuming work they will be posted at a place of their choice for three years to nurture their children, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin said on Friday.

It may be recalled that after capturing power in 2021, the DMK government enhanced the period of maternity leave for its employees from nine months to one year.

“Women police will be given one-year maternity leave and after returning to work, they will be posted either at the place of their husband or parents, for three years, to take care of their children,” the chief minister announced after distributing the President’s medals, Union Home Minister’s medals and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s medals to meritorious police officials and personnel at Rajarathinam stadium here.

This gesture was being extended at the request of personnel in the police department, he said.

Additionally, the professional skills of women police will be enhanced to tackle crimes against women and children so that they can handle cyber crimes effectively, the Chief Minister said.

“Your duty and responsibility is very huge. You must protect the people. Discharge your duties with dedication and serve not only to reduce crimes but also to prevent crimes,” he urged.

Tamil Nadu should be transformed into a state free from drugs and crimes, Stalin said. “Arrest the offenders if any violation takes place, he advised.” He was happy to note that the state is leading in diverse fields, including industrial development, as the law and order are being maintained well.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Chennai:

Women police in the state force will be entitled to one year’s maternity leave, and upon resuming work they will be posted at a place of their choice for three years to nurture their children, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin said on Friday.

It may be recalled that after capturing power in 2021, the DMK government enhanced the period of maternity leave for its employees from nine months to one year.

“Women police will be given one-year maternity leave and after returning to work, they will be posted either at the place of their husband or parents, for three years, to take care of their children,” the chief minister announced after distributing the President’s medals, Union Home Minister’s medals and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s medals to meritorious police officials and personnel at Rajarathinam stadium here.

This gesture was being extended at the request of personnel in the police department, he said.

Additionally, the professional skills of women police will be enhanced to tackle crimes against women and children so that they can handle cyber crimes effectively, the Chief Minister said.

“Your duty and responsibility is very huge. You must protect the people. Discharge your duties with dedication and serve not only to reduce crimes but also to prevent crimes,” he urged.

Tamil Nadu should be transformed into a state free from drugs and crimes, Stalin said. “Arrest the offenders if any violation takes place, he advised.” He was happy to note that the state is leading in diverse fields, including industrial development, as the law and order are being maintained well.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Chennai:

 An Additional Superintendent of the Tamil Nadu police who was part of the Special Task Force that gunned down forest brigand Veerappan was suspended a day prior to his superannuation.

S. Velladurai, Additional Superintendent of Police, Crime Records Bureau, Tiruvannamalai, was placed under suspension by the Tamil Nadu home department on Thursday.

The officer, according to sources, was suspended for his alleged involvement in custodial torture leading to the death of ‘Kokki’ Kumar alias Ramu in Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu in 2013.

‘Kokki’ Kumar was an accused in the killing of police sub- inspector T. Alwin Sudhan during Maruthupandiar Jayanthi on October 27, 2012. The police arrested 13 people including ‘Kokki’ Kumar in the case.

The CB-CID which probed the case had filed a report in the designated court recommending that further action be dropped.

Velladurai gained fame when he gunned down a history sheeter Ayothikuppam Veeramani in 2003 in Chennai when he was a Sub- Inspector. He was also part of the Special Task Force that shot dead forest brigand Veerappan in 2004.

The Tamil Nadu government had also appointed Velladurai as a special officer of the State Police Special Wing to monitor and control rowdy elements and anti- socials that targeted industrial units and entrepreneurs in Kancheepuram district in 2021 when the DMK government assumed office.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)