Alleged confrontations between goons, cops raise law and order questions in Ernakulam

Recurring incidents of police personnel allegedly coming under attack from criminal groups have raised questions over the law and order situation in the district despite special drives targeting offenders including goons and drug peddlers.

In the latest such incidents, two police personnel, including a sub-inspector, of the Njarackal station were allegedly stabbed by a group at Elankunnapuzha on October 20, while an alleged drug peddler rammed two police officers with his car when he was intercepted near Elamakkara on Friday (October 23, 2026).

The incidents coincided with a history-sheeter issuing an open threat to the police and Aluva MLA Anwar Sadath after securing bail in a robbery case. The accused in all the three cases have been arrested.

At least two incidents of suspected goons physically confronting police personnel were reported from the district last month. A team of officers from the Kalamassery police station faced a violent backlash near Thrikkakara North while trying to arrest individuals involved in an alleged street brawl, while three police personnel sustained injuries after a youth detained for alleged drug peddling turned violent inside the Maradu police station.

The incidents have been reported in both Kochi city and Ernakulam rural areas. Senior officers claimed that the reported incidents were isolated cases, and strict actions were being taken against goons and miscreants.

“People identified as goons are under constant surveillance. Of the 40 identified as repeat offenders under a special drive, 10 have been jailed under the provisions of the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA). Preventive action, including verification of whereabouts, is carried out against others constantly,” District Police Chief (Kochi City) Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar said.

His counterpart in Ernakulam rural, K.S. Sudarshan, said anti-goon drive was going on aggressively within the jurisdiction. “As many as 24 suspects were taken into preventive custody on Thursday alone in a special drive. Steps including invoking KAAPA and cancellation of bail are also being taken regularly,” he added.

A senior officer, meanwhile, cautioned that the recent incidents highlight the need for police personnel to be more cautious while confronting criminal gangs. “Often they may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The police need to apply their mind cautiously and request more force while dealing with such situations,” he said.