The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : “Law and order under control”

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Thursday, Feb 07, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

“Law and order under control”

Special Correspondent

Karunanidhi reacts to Jayalalithaa’s allegation

Lists measures taken by police
Fall in crime and violence against women

CHENNAI: Law and order is well under control and because of the effective steps taken by the police, peace and communal amity prevail in the State, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi has said.

Reacting to the allegation of the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary Jayalalithaa that the law and order had become “worse” in the State, the Chief Minister in a seven-page statement, said modernisation of the police and implementation the Third Police Commission’s recommendations had resulted in drastic fall in crime, violence against women, and property related incidents. About 2,800 persons were detained in 2006 and 2007.

Criminal cases pending for years were detected during the present regime. Recovery rate of stolen property was 86 per cent in 2006 and 89 per cent in 2007. Prohibition cases, smuggling of rice and sale of banned lottery tickets were effectively contained by the police. In the last two years, Thevar Jayanthi, Kantadevi car festival, Tamirabarani day and Melavalavu Murugesan memorial day, where there were possibilities of communal clashes, went off peacefully due to preventive measures taken. The police ensured there was no law and order problems in the State whenever there were agitations by political parties or voluntary organisations.

He cited how the force acted swiftly during agitations in connection with river water disputes, price rise, Salem railway division and titanium dioxide plant. Vinayagar Chathurthi processions and the anniversaries of the Babri Masjid demolition and Coimbatore serial bomb blasts went off peacefully. Preventive measures were taken whenever there were reports of blasts in other states.

On LTTE

With regard to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, the Chief Minister said 84 persons, who were smuggling gun powder, iron pellets, aluminium ingots and sophisticated communication systems were brought to book and 13 cases registered against them. In the last two years 40 persons were detained under the National Security Act, including 17 Sri Lankan Tamils.

Recently, six persons were arrested in Madurai when they attempted to smuggle gunpowder to Sri Lanka. Thambidurai Parameswaran belonging to the LTTE intelligence wing and seven of his associates were arrested. They were procuring arms and other essential articles for the LTTE. The police seized Rs.4.78 lakh from them. To prevent intrusion of LTTE cadres into Sri Lanka refugees camps, frequent inspections were being conducted.

As Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and coastal police were acting in coordination and smuggling to Sri Lanka and attack on Indian fishermen were effectively controlled.

The police recently busted a training camp and arrested 7 persons, including Sundaramurthi, who was absconding for 15 years. Members belonging to naxalite groups were arrested recently.

All these measures, Mr. Karunanidhi said, were proof of effective steps taken by the police, who were acting independently and maintaining peace and communal harmony.

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