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A young woman was reportedly subjected to a rape attempt by three men inside an abandoned building near the South railway station in Kochi, after her male friend was held at knifepoint, prompting the police to step up surveillance of abandoned properties. The incident has raised concerns over safety risks posed by abandoned buildings, overgrown premises, and poorly lit stretches across the city.
The Kochi City police have launched a mission to identify and monitor vulnerable spots that could turn into criminal shelters, with District Police Chief Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar saying police teams have been conducting inspections to identify such locations and assess security risks.
The police have identified several abandoned structures, including unused commercial establishments and unfinished apartment complexes, as disputed properties that have remained neglected for years, and will direct authorities and property owners to strengthen safety measures.
The police will also strengthen surveillance in vulnerable locations, including the spaces beneath the Ernakulam North and South railway overbridges, South Kalamassery overbridge area, and premises around the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium at Kaloor.
The police will resume inspections and monitoring of abandoned properties in the coming days, with a focus on preventing criminal activities and ensuring public safety.