Ranchi: Police here have launched a special drive to execute all arrest warrants and, in the process, underline that the state capital is no safe haven for outlaws.

The crackdown began in the intervening night of July 22 and 23 and will continue till midnight on July 30. As many as 32 wanted persons have been arrested from different thana areas of the city since Monday.

A competent court of law issues a permanent arrest warrant against those accused who do not surrender or appear in person despite repeated summons and property attachment.

Rough estimates suggest there are more than 1,000 such warrants pending for execution across 45 police stations and thana outposts in Ranchi district.

"The court sends arrest warrants directly to police stations concerned. I have asked officers-in-charge to furnish lists of pending warrants and initiate steps for their execution. During the first set of raids (in Dhurwa, Lalpur, Argora, Lower Bazaar, Chanho and Tupudana thana areas), 17 persons were arrested," said SSP Aneesh Gupta.

A communiqué from the SSP's office said another 15 were arrested during the special drive in the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday. One each was nabbed from Muri, Pithoria, Silli, Burmu, Hindpiri, Kotwali, Daily Market, Gonda, Lower Bazar and Sadar police station areas; two were arrested from Nagri and three from Ormanjhi.

The senior officer believes this concerted crackdown will trigger panic among absconders. "They will either surrender or be caught while trying to flee to safer zones. We are vigilant," he said.

Gupta conceded that criminal gangs had been emboldened by the non-execution of arrest warrants. "In the past, we have executed arrest warrants in several other districts. They yielded positive results. Now, our focus is Ranchi," he said.

The SSP said the underlying objective was people-friendly policing.

"People's support is important for us. It is difficult to provide foolproof security or guaranteeing that no crime will ever take place. But, prompt arrests and smooth prosecution help. We try our best despite limited resources. Cases are investigated scientifically to ensure no innocent person goes to jail," he added.