Women cops on alert for Attukal pongala

Thiruvananthapuram: The city police has stepped up vigil against gypsy thieves expected to sneak into the massive crowds of women devotees during Attukal Pongala.

A dozen additional lady plainclothes constables will be specially deployed for surveillance during initial days leading to Pongala.

Though a snatching case was reported from Thampanoor last season, the pongalas during the past few years were event-free due to preventive measures including additional surveillance cameras. On the final day, the number of civil dressed police in the festival zone will be around 100.

The shadow police is in the process of updating list of tours from areas like Nagercoil, Tirunelveli, Palakkad and even Karnataka.

“All cops keep on receiving photographs of suspects through WhatsApp. They have been adequately briefed about the background and modus operandi of suspects, some of whom travel in a group," said an  officer.

“Suspicious activities will be recorded by undercover lady cops on mobile phones. Most thefts happen when women retreat from the city on the final day of pongala.” This year, vigil has been tightened to check the bag lifters from Tirunelveli also.