THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Police have adapted a decentralised system to ensure effective
functioning of the recently-formed anti-goonda squad. An order issued by state police chief Loknath Behera in this regard said the tenmember squad will be headed by Police Training College principal P Prakash. The team will have officers from the rank of sub-inspector to civil police officer.
Its headquarters will be the Police Training College. State Crime Records Bureau (SCRB) SP will associate with the squad by sharing information on persons engaged in goonda activities.
The squad has been asked to collect information on goondas, gangs and their hideouts in each district. Details of those who protect them and persons serving jail term for goonda activities will also be collected. The activities of the squad should be reported to the headquarters IG who in turn will submit a monthly review report to the state police chief.
The DGP has issued directions to form district-level anti-goonda squads headed by a sub inspector in every district. The staff strength is as follows: Ernakulam City - 20, Thiruvananthapuam City - 18, Thiruvananthapuram Rural-15, Kozhikode City -15, Kollam City - 10, Thrissur City - 10 and other districts - 10.
The members will be given two-day training at the Police Training College. District squads will be monitored by the district police chiefs. District special branch and shadow team members in all districts have been asked to support the team.