Gold missing from Kollam DTPC office; other anti-social activities reported

Kollam: A gold bracelet, weighing about one sovereign, which was stored in the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) office in Kollam, has gone missing. The newly appointed DTPC secretary has filed a complaint with the City Police Commissioner. The chain was originally found by college students in Thangassery park in January and was handed over to the park in-charge. Despite efforts to locate the owner, including media announcements, no one came forward.

The gold was kept in a locker at the park for several days before being transferred to the DTPC office in Kollam in March, after the park’s previous in-charge resigned. The chain was recorded as received by office employees, but it has now disappeared. The new secretary, who took over recently, was informed that the chain was in the secretary’s cupboard, but it could not be found.

The complaint also points out serious lapses from the part of the officials in handling the gold and delays in informing the collector, who is the DTPC chairman. Recently, some persons had leaked diesel from a van parked in front of the DTPC office. This incident has also been mentioned in the Secretary's complaint.

Unsecured areas become havens for anti-social activity

The closed KSRTC-Olayil Kadav road, area near the bus station toilet, closed canteen, link road-ashram guest house areas and nearby grounds, have become a hotspot for anti-social and drug-related activities in Kollam.

Boats parked near the lake are also being used for illegal purposes. There are also many anti-socials lurking around the DTPC area. Despite the central location of these areas in the city, there are no police checks, and security personnel at the KSRTC depot are unable to patrol these spots effectively.