Tuticorin: Adventures in Tamil Nadu's Crime Capital

by V. Sudarshan

This bustling port on the Gulf of Mannar is a haven for smugglers and bootleggers. The locals all carry aruvals – the lethal local machete. In between smuggling, bootlegging and loansharking, they entertain themselves with caste wars and blood feuds.

Tuticorin, in short, is like R.K. Narayan’s Malgudi, plus aruvals and hooch.

A young police officer with scarcely any knowledge of Tamil was in charge of the district in the 1980s. Anoop Jaiswal handled the underworld of Tuticorin in a rather unorthodox way, dealing compassionately with murderers, sex workers, bootleggers and other unusual characters.

A fascinating look at small-town policing in the days before cell phones and the internet.

304 pages, Paperback

Published November 25, 2022

About the author

V. Sudarshan is a journalist and the author of the non-fiction narratives, Dead End: The Minister, the CBI and the Murder That Wasn't; Adrift: A True Story of Survival at Sea and Anatomy of an Abduction.

Reviews

[Rajat Ubhaykar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on the life of IPS officer Anoop Jaiswal, this is a highly readable book that recounts the (mis)adventures of a maverick policeman, whose unconventional attitude and belief in empathetic policing sometimes wins him the unending loyalty of his subordinates, and sometimes lands him in grave trouble, including dismissal from service!

[Shweta Shenoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rarely does a true crime have an appeal that doesn't go against the criminals and their nature of crime. Rarely does it happen that a true crime narrated from the pov of a police officer has such compassion. Tuticorin is one such anthology of stories of real life incidents that occurred in Tuticorin (Tamil Nadu, India) during the 1980s when smuggling and other illegal activities in this bustling port had reached its peak. The hub of intense crime, gangwar, corruption, smuggling, violence and exploitation made this small coastal city a centre point of some major crimes.

These stories are personal experiences of a young police officer Anoop Jaiswal who was made in-charge after a transfer in the 80s. With a stark contrast in culture, language barrier and no knowledge of the landscapes, Anoop Jaiswal found it challenging at first but was equally determined to make a difference. Every story has a personal touch and that helps us connect with each of the characters. Sometimes, true crime genre becomes overwhelming because of the nature of the violence. But here, though there is brutal graphic violence, the mild presentation makes it acceptable. The stories are short, precise, yet impactful.

These stories are different from most of the books with the same genre. Here they wish to highlight another side of the criminals, their human side. Anoop Jaiswal's unorthodox methods, empathetic nature didn't quite go well with this colleagues but did change lives that mattered. He has narrated his personal experience with those accused and their family. There are twenty short stories about the crimes which did not get much media attention but were gruesome. The recollections of incidents that happened almost two and a half decades back are narrated with precision. I would suggest this book to those who like to read true crime especially of the period when there was a connectivity constraint and about the place where locals preferred to brandish their aruvals ( a lethal local machete) than talk.

[Tushar Mangl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting read about crimes in Tamil Nadu in the 80s. The author tracks the works of IPS Anoop Jaiswal and how handled tricky law and order situations as SP of Tuticorin. This in times of no internet, no cellular phones or digital tools. Tuticorin also throws light on some important issues of the region of the time like bootlegging, casteism, religious conflicts, domestic violence etc.
What also makes Jaiswal's story so interesting also is how a young police officer from Northern Borders of India adjusted into its Southernmost borders. An outsider to the region's geography, language and customs, the way he adjusted to his job is an inspiration to read.
One story I really liked was how he inspired loyalty among his team members.

Pages - 277

[Srivatsan Srikanth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tuticorin allows the reader to accompany Mr. Anoop Jaiswal as he tackles interesting cases during his stint as an SP in Thoothukudi. The descriptions of places like Manimuthar Dam, Ambasamudram and the picturesque route to Courtallam transported me to these places as I read and has furthered kindled an interest to visit them too.

Rampant social issues that Mr.Jaiswal as a Police Officer would have bound to have faced were brought out in a very interesting yet simple narrative. The lessons one can learn from his approach to his job, colleagues and subordinates is definitely one to emulate.

To bring out the humanity inside a Police Officer posted in a dangerous and violent atmosphere was the commendable aspect of the book. Will definitely recommend it.

[GOKUL]

Excellent Book author take the reader straight to 80s infact the detailing by the author picture us there mentally. The courageous act of SP will instill sense of pride and inspiration for the aspiring officers/Aspirants. I would recommend to all UPSC Aspirants to read this book. The empathy, Decision making styles especially in the chapter Punnakayal Massacare was chapter to young aspirants about the presence of mind. Can't keep down the book till i complete.

[Ravikumar Paulpandian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting tale of grit and courage of decorated IPS officer Anoop Jaiswal. The format of the book, narrative style and the language by Sudharshan makes this memoir as readable as a fiction. Grit, resolve, honesty, courage and intention to do good trumps all those negative forces that we usually ascribe to bureaucracy. The book brings in great respect for those in public service who strive to keep things in order while we go on about our casual lives

[Myinstabookclub · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this amazing book. Our country needs more officers like Shri Anoop Jaiswal. Early life to his retirement Shri Jaiswal met a lot of challenges which he faced and overcame with courage and determination. Highly recommended📖

[Samuel Kumar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good Efforts by the Police officer with humanity touch

[Ajeemsha S · Rating 3 out of 5]

I cant say as it is a gripping one, simply a collection of memoirs of an IPS officer written by a journalist

[bindubliss · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 out of 5