Tamil Nadu Crime Row: DMK Women's Wing Plans Oct 31 Agitation

Chennai, October 26: The DMK women's wing is set to hold protests across Tamil Nadu on October 31, as the opposition party escalates its criticism of the TVK government over law and order. Party president M.K. Stalin said recent killings and missing-persons cases reflected a breakdown in public safety.

Stalin said the government had not been able to frighten criminals into obeying the law. According to him, offenders were now operating without fear, and he called out Chief Minister Vijay for remaining silent on the issue.

He said recent events had caused serious concern about the security of residents throughout the state. Three cases from Salem, Madurai and Gingee formed the core of his remarks.

Salem witnessed the murder of a person in a public place in broad daylight. In Madurai, a boy who had gone missing was later found dead. A girl who disappeared from Gingee has still not been found.

Stalin described these cases as signs of a disturbing trend. He claimed crime in Tamil Nadu was becoming more terrifying than scenes in video games and horror films, and said criminals had gained confidence during the TVK government's tenure.

"Criminals under TVK rule are behaving as if they have been handed a free rein," he said.

He further alleged that daily murders in the state were being counted as routine, and that the government bore responsibility for the unease these incidents had created.

He questioned why Vijay was not speaking on a serious issue like law and order, as though it had nothing to do with him. He also asked why a chief minister who had once spoken forcefully on the subject was not responding to the latest cases.

Stalin said the October 31 protests would be used to condemn the current situation.

The party has given the responsibility of the agitation to its women's wing, which will demonstrate against the government across the state on law and order. The Salem murder, the Madurai boy's death and the unresolved Gingee case have been placed at the centre of the campaign.

In his statement, Stalin demanded that the Chief Minister respond to these incidents and to concerns about public safety.