Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Tamil Nadu CM Vijay Defends Police Role Amid Law-Order Uproar
Tamil Nadu’s Assembly had a heated discussion about murders and public safety.
DMK members wanted the government to discuss what they called worsening law and order.
Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay said police should protect people rather than act like a separate power centre.
He said the law should apply equally to everyone, regardless of political party.
Vijay said many recent crimes were connected to old disputes and revenge.
He also said 36 people were arrested after a student was murdered at a Coimbatore college.
The government said it wants to stop drug use and prevent crimes before they happen.
It cited anti-drug squads in all 37 districts and a special force for preventing crimes against women.
DMK members demanded an Assembly discussion on recent murders and Tamil Nadu’s law-and-order situation.
Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay said police must protect people, not become a power centre.
Vijay said crimes reported over the past three months were linked to past enmity and revenge.
Thirty-six people were arrested over a student’s murder at a college in Coimbatore, he said.
The government cited anti-drug squads, corruption measures and a special force addressing crimes against women.
- Who
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, DMK Assembly members and the state Police Department.
- What
- The Assembly debated recent murders, law and order, policing, drug-related concerns and crime prevention.
- When
- The uproar occurred at the outset of Monday’s proceedings; Vijay had challenged the DMK on Thursday to remain for his reply.
- Where
- The Tamil Nadu Assembly, with incidents and enforcement measures discussed across Tamil Nadu, including Chennai and Coimbatore.
- Why
- DMK members sought a discussion on continuous murders and alleged deteriorating law and order, while Vijay defended his government’s policing and crime-prevention approach.
Opposition Concerns
Government Response
Law and order
Opposition Concerns
DMK members raised slogans and sought a discussion on continuous murders and what they described as deteriorating law and order.
Government Response
Vijay said the reported crimes did not occur all at once and were driven by past enmity and revenge.
Police role
Opposition Concerns
The Assembly uproar reflected demands for scrutiny of the government’s handling of policing and public safety.
Government Response
Vijay said police should protect people, apply the law equally and take action regardless of political affiliation.
Political response to crime
Opposition Concerns
Vijay said opposition parties use such incidents to blame the ruling government, a characterization presented from the government’s perspective.
Government Response
The government said it was pursuing anti-drug efforts, corruption controls and preventive measures for crimes against women and children.
- Assembly issue
- DMK members sought discussion of recent murders and the law-and-order situation.
- Police policy
- Vijay said police should be friends to good people, enemies to bad people and not a power centre.
- Coimbatore arrest figure
- Thirty-six people were arrested in connection with a college student’s murder, according to Vijay.
- Anti-drug squads
- The government said anti-drug squads had been established in all 37 districts.
- Chennai NDPS cases
- Vijay said 330 cases were filed under the NDPS Act in Chennai and 556 people were arrested during the last three months.
- Women’s safety
- The government said it formed the Singappen Special Force to prevent crimes against women.
- Corruption policy
- Vijay described the government’s position as zero tolerance towards corruption.