Patna, April 13: Overwhelmed with the unprecedented success of getting hold of absconding criminals after beating drums in Patna, the police headquarters will be introducing the same formula across the state, soon.

The police, for the first time, are going to the residential addresses of the absconders and beat drums aloud to draw the attention of the residents of the entire locality. Each police station has been instructed to compile a list of absconders in their records at first. Then, the police personnel engage members of bands who can first play the drum aloud in front of the absconders’ residences. Once a sizeable crowd gathers, a policeman reads aloud the name of the person, his family background, what crime he has committed and the date from which he has been absconding.

Director-general of police (DGP) Neel Mani said that the success of the new initiative was encouraging.

“The police had started the drive in Patna on an experimental basis. Things have looked very encouraging with a lot of arrests and surrenders. As a result, the police will be starting it in all the districts. We are sure that the move will see many absconding criminals, who have been escaping law for years, behind bars,” the DGP said.

Today, the Kadamkuan police arrested one person who was absconding since 1997 in an attempt to murder case.

“The public helped the police in this case. The man, identified as Sanjay Kumar, was arrested today. A few days back, the police had arrested another absconder. The police went to the criminal’s house and told the family that the man will get compensations. The family was convinced and finally called the criminal to the house and was arrested. We are presently tracking down other permanent warrantees as well,” an officer at the police station said.

The DGP said at present, there were more than 20,000 criminals in the state against whom warrants were issued and are evading arrest. “The number is huge and many have been absconding for years. But after the beating of the drums, the police hope that many more will be arrested in the same way,” he added.

The step was taken by the city police last week and has shown exceptional results since execution. Patna senior superintendent of police Alok Kumar earlier said that almost 100 criminals were arrested in just four days after this move was initiated.

Till now, the police have beaten drums and made public announcements in front of residences of around 950 absconders. The capital has at least 2,000 absconders wanted for years in different cases.

There have been many cases where these warrantees have surrendered before the court fearing social stigma. “They fear social boycott and have thus surrendered.” the police said.