KOCHI: With the mega art fest Kochi Muziris Biennale all set to begin from December 12, the City Police and the Excise Department are upping their surveillance activities in Fort Kochi expecting an increase in drug peddling. For the next two months, police and excise officials will be on their toes to curb the flow of narcotics into the area which will be overflowing with domestic and international tourists. Tourist Police too have increased their surveillance in order to prevent any crime against tourists who arrive for the international-level event.
According to S Vijayan, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mattanchery, the police department has drawn up plans to ensure that the activities of drug rackets are curbed in Fort Kochi area. “Learning from the law and order issues faced during the biennales held in the previous years, especially the operations of those peddling drugs, we have set in motion steps to ensure that no such illegal activities happen this year. A large posse of policemen will deployed in Fort Kochi area to monitor the situation.
Cops in mufti will also be posted in the area to carry out surveillance activities. More shadow cops will be deployed at the venues of the art fest. At least 50 personnel will deployed at the venues and patrolling will be enhanced at night,” he added.
Police had netted several persons selling and buying narcotic substances during the biennale which was held in 2014-2015. Some of those arrested had links with drug rackets operating in Goa. Apart from biennale, New Year celebrations also pull more crowd to the Western-end of Kochi. In the past, there had been instances when drug peddlers sold tourists chalk powder disguised as high quality cocaine.
Police official said that hotels and homestay operators will be directed to rent out rooms only after collecting the relevant documents including identity proofs. Surveillance has also been increased at hotels in order to curb drug peddling. Excise officials said that they have already deployed a unit in Fort Kochi-Mattancherry area. During biennale, more officials will be deployed at Fort Kochi area.
S Vijayan said that security arrangements have been also made to curb crime against tourists especially those from abroad. Moreover, patrolling by tourist police will also be enhanced. “Security will be high especially in the night. This is to ensure that the tourists can walk through the streets of Fort Kochi without any fear,” he added.