Mega night combing drive in Vatva ahead of civic polls, 75 suspects rounded up

In a pre-emptive move to ensure law and order ahead of the upcoming local body elections in Gujarat, the Vatva police in Ahmedabad carried out a large-scale “combing night” operation across sensitive areas under its jurisdiction, officials said on Monday.

The overnight drive, conducted between 11 pm on April 12 and 5 am on April 13, was undertaken on the directions of Police Commissioner G S Malik and under the supervision of Joint Commissioner of Police (Sector-2) Jaipalsinh Rathod.

According to Police Inspector A A Vacheta, the operation involved a coordinated deployment of seven police sub-inspectors, around 150 police personnel and 30 home guards. Teams were formed to carry out intensive patrolling, surprise inspections and vehicle checks across the Vatva area, which has been identified as sensitive in the run-up to the polls.

Police used technology, including 12 body-worn cameras, two drone cameras, and handheld digital devices, to monitor and document the operation. Authorities said the drive focused on history-sheeters, individuals listed under the MCR (Most Crime Record) category, persons linked to narcotics activities, absconding accused, and other anti-social elements.

During the operation, police rounded up 75 suspects and conducted searches in 55 residential blocks. A total of 45 vehicles were inspected at checkpoints set up across the area.

Action was taken in several cases during the drive. Police registered one case of possession of country liquor, one case under the Gujarat Police Act, two cases of drink-and-drive violations, and one case each related to the consumption of alcohol and possession of foreign liquor. In the foreign liquor case, 435 bottles of varying sizes, collectively valued at ₹ 63,514, were seized.

Officials said such intensive combing operations would continue in the coming days as part of heightened vigilance measures to prevent any untoward incidents and ensure the peaceful conduct of the elections.

“The objective is to maintain a strong police presence, deter anti-social activities and reassure citizens ahead of the civic polls,” a senior officer said, adding that strict monitoring would be maintained in sensitive pockets across the city.