The preventive arrests were part of the city police's special drive to curtail rising crime during moonless nights

300 detained for suspicious behaviour

The preventive arrests were part of the city police's special drive to curtail rising crime during moonless nights

Amavasya, which is considered to be a good omen among criminals (see box), proved to be the exact opposite yesterday with over 300 people being detained for suspicious behaviour last night.

They were held under Section 109 of the Code of Criminal Procedure which provides for preventive arrests.

Barricaded
The police swung into action after Joint Commissioner Alok Kumar initiated special drives on moonless nights as the darkness aids criminals.

All seven divisions of the police were at work and 50 barricades had been put up across the city to check all vehicles thoroughly.

The West division alone caught over 100 people who were sent to judicial custody "There are many reasons behind keeping a hawk-eye on criminals on Amavasya days.

Criminals are more active because the darkness allows them to escape easily and also because they believe that these days are profitable.

We have seen incidents of crime soaring on Amavasya days, which is why the special drive was initiated," said a senior police officer.

Orders

Patrolling officer Azmal Pasha, who was at Saint Marks Road Junction, said, "We have received orders from higher officials and have detained more than 15 suspected people and vehicles."

The drive goes on for six days and is at its peak during amavasya nights. The detainees will be produced before the Magistrate today.

Superstition

Criminals are superstitious about Amavasya nights and they believe that such nights are profitable.

Most criminals believe that Amavasya on a Sunday is even better for business and thus, crime rates are very high on such days.