Thiruvananthapuram: The vigilance and anti-corruption bureau is conducting lightning raids in the name of 'Operation Thunder' at 53 police stations in Kerala.

The 'Operation Thunder' raids across the state were carried out by a team led by K Karthick, superintendent of police, Vigilance & Anti-Corruption Bureau, Ernakulam Range and assisted by deputy superintendent of police including R Ashok Kumar, TU Sajeevan, TM Varghese, and D Ashok Kumar.

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The raids are being conducted by the officials based on intelligence reports. The intelligence reports suggest that most of the police stations have a connection with the sand mining mafia. The raids were conducted on Tuesday and continued on Wednesday too.

The vigilance intelligence officers have been monitoring the police stations and police in connection with the mafia gangs and criminals.

The first list made by the vigilance intelligence officers contained more than 100 stations. Later, 53 police stations were selected for the raids.  

It is reported that the Kasaragod's Kumbala police station had links with the sand mining centres.

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It was also found that many financial fraud cases have also been settled at the police stations. Some money in cash was also found from police stations. Also, the case registers are not kept at most stations.

The inspections also said that the police officials concerned to give receipts were not issuing them to the petitioners. According to the Vigilance SP report, the police have kept many vehicles which don't include in any cases.

The vigilance officers also found that enforcers had seized vehicles without proper reasons. They also found records of driving licences and vehicle registrations books kept illegally and without specifying any reason at traffic stations.

Last year, the vigilance raids were conducted in 45 government departments in Kerala. An action was also taken against 1,074 officers on the basis of verification reports. The suspension was also recommended against 64 officials who were found guilty of serious irregularities. Eighteen officers were also punished for bribing the vigilance officials.