A spate of violent attacks raises public safety concerns in Kochi

A series of violent incidents involving people with criminal records reported from various parts of the city in the past few months have raised new public safety concerns. At least one such case of people including women being attacked by such groups has been reported from the city almost every month since March.

In the last two weeks, two cases of group attacks have been reported from near Kakkanad, which reportedly triggered road rage. While three men, two of them historians, were arrested for allegedly brutally assaulting three youths following a dispute over road space on Sunday, four identifiable people were charged for allegedly beating a 52-year-old man in a similar incident on July 22.

In June, two young women were allegedly harassed and physically assaulted in Kaloor in the wee hours after they protested lewd gestures and verbal abuse near a tea shop. The police subsequently arrested several suspects. In late May, a police team was injured after it was allegedly attacked by a group of youths suspected to be in a drunken state near Marottichod, Unichira. In early May, a woman was allegedly attacked with a knife near the Ernakulam Junction railway station, leading to two arrests. In March, a three-member gang allegedly ambushed a tea shop employee when they were provoked by a delay in dispensing cigarettes.

City police sources said such incidents continued to occur despite frequent patrols. Police said most of the recent incidents involving gangs occurred after sudden provocations and often under the influence of drugs. “None of the recent cases was a planned attack. However, they cause fear among people who have to go out at night,” admitted a city police officer.

The officer said that the repeat offenders were closely monitored and strict action was taken against them, including the application of the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act.

Meanwhile, the Ernakulam Rural Police said it had cracked down on hoodlums and historians under Operation Steel Bird, a special unit launched in March.

District Superintendent of Police (Ernakulam Rural) KS Sudarshan said that since March, 22 alleged habitual offenders have been arrested in an operation launched to prevent organized crime.

“Special teams have been formed to gather intelligence and track wanted accused. Surveillance of habitual offenders has been intensified and preventive arrests will be made to stop crimes before they are committed. The department will also initiate steps to get bail granted to arrested accused in their earlier criminal cases cancelled,” Sudarshan said.

Published – 29 Jul 2026 19:38 IST