Several wanted persons, against whom non-bailable court warrants were pending, were arrested during a two-day surprise combing operation in the city under the directions of City Police Commissioner V. Suresh Kumar.
The police said in a statement that among those arrested were some 27 persons slapped with non-bailable warrants.
Gang leaders
They said a few notorious gang leaders were also arrested. They included Prakash alias Vettukuttan, an accused in the Happy Rajesh murder case and case in connection with the attempt to murder Mathrubhumi reporter V.B. Unnithan.
Others in this category were Jindan Ani, Pothu Kannan, and Motta Vishnu.
The police will now interrogate them to ascertain whether they were involved in some of the criminal activities that took place in the city recently.
The interrogations are being carried out by a team led by Assistant Police Commissioner K. Lalji.
The combing operation was carried by a police team led by the Kollam East circle inspector S. Sherief and sub-inspector R. Kumar, the statement said.