'Goonda Act to be invoked against habitual offenders'

Provisions of Goonda Act will be invoked against habitual offenders including chain snatchers, Home Minister K J George said on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters after holding a review meeting with senior police officers, George said as per the provisions of the Goonda Act one can be put in preventive detention for up to six months without a trial. The move, he hoped, would deter the habitual offenders.

He said DCPs have been given the powers to invoke the provisions of the Act. Hitherto, SPs in districts and officers of the rank of additional commissioners and above, had the powers.
On the increasing number of chainsnatching incidents in Bengaluru, George said Pulsar bikes were used for the crime. The police has been keeping regular checks on areas which were prone to such incidents in the City, he said.

All police stations in Bengaluru will have two Hoysalas attached - one on petrol and another for use during emergencies, he said.

George said crime scene will be monitored at the micro-level in Bengaluru and accountability fixed on the jurisdictional officers, including police inspectors.

The statistics will be placed before Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during the next review meeting of the Police department.

The police will keep a check on illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and take action against them. Intelligence cadre in the Police department will be strengthened in the coming days, he added.