CHENNAI: In the aftermath of the brutal gang-rape of a college student near the Coimbatore airport in Tamil Nadu, the city police have identified 59 deserted and isolated areas within their limits for enhanced night patrolling and visible policing.
The move follows widespread outrage over what many citizens see as a systemic failure in ensuring women’s safety in vulnerable localities.
The horrific crime occurred in a secluded stretch behind the airport -- a place residents say has long been a haven for miscreants. Locals recall that groups of men frequently gathered there to drink, and incidents of snatching and robbery were not uncommon. Despite previous complaints, police presence in such isolated pockets was minimal, with patrol vehicles rarely venturing beyond nearby residential zones.