Pannerselvam criticises transfers of police officials

Chennai, Aug 30 (UNI) Deputy Leader of the Opposition O Panneerselvam told the Tamil Nadu Assembly today that frequent transfers of police officials by the DMK Government had led to lack of discipline in the state police force which was once compared to Scotland Yard.

Winding up the debate on the demand for grants for the Home, Fire Services and Prohibition and Excise Departments, he cited reports that several power centres in the Government were behind the frequent transfers in which money was also involved.

Stating that the police force was modernised and the law and order was well maintained during the previous AIADMK regime, he said caste and communal clashes were kept under check.

He said only four deaths due to communal clashes were reported during the AIADMK regime in 2001-2006, as against 70 deaths during the DMK period from 1996-2001. Similarly, deaths due to caste clashes was 19 as against 213 during the DMK regime, he added.

Mr Panneerselvam said crime rate had also increased in the state, particularly in Chennai city, after the DMK Government took over in May last.

While 122 criminal cases were registered from January to May this year, as many as 140 cases had been booked in the first 100 days of the DMK regime, he said addding that it was the same police force and officials, but there was no discipline now.

Mr Panneerselvam said cases were being foisted against activists of opposition parties due to political vendetta.

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