CPI demands TN govt to probe police-anti-social nexus

Madurai, Mar 18 (UNI) The Communist Party of India (CPI) today demanded that the Tamil Nadu government should probe the alleged growing nexus between the police and the anti-social elements in the state.

Addressing a press conference here, CPI State Secretary D Pandiyan urged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi to weed out the corrupt officials from the police department, who had colluded with anti-social elements.

Referring to his reported remark that the CPI members should carry weapons for self-defence, Mr Pandiyan said, '' there is nothing wrong in carrying arms for self-defence when the people are losing confidence in the efficacy of police.'' ''The CPI men will be given arms training and if necessary will make weapons not only for self-defence, but also to protect the common people from the anti-social elements,'' he said.

On the BJP's demand to arrest him (Pandiyan) under the Goondas Act for asking the partymen to carry weapons, he said''if there is any provision in the law for it then they can arrest me and we are ready to face it.'' UNI GSM KD AS1649