Put down anti-social elements with iron hand: CM exhorts

Chennai, Jun 19 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today exhorted the police to deal with anti-social elements with an iron hand to prevent incidents of crime and rowdyism in the state.

Inaugurating the two-day conference of police officials and district collectors at the state Secretariat here, he said those who tried to destroy the national integrity by entering the country as refugees should not be permitted to enter Tamil Nadu.

''The police force should ensure that no terrorist organisation thrives in the state. Those entering the state disguising as refugees destroy the country's national integrity'', he added.

He also urged the police to book anti-social elements defiling the statues of leaders under the Goondas Act and take suitable action against them.

''No mercy should be shown to those indulging in brewing of illicit liquor as it costs the lives of several people'', he said and warned the police against organising kangaroo courts to deal with property dispute cases.

Mr Karunanidhi said populist schemes like Rs two a kg rice scheme under the PDS scheme, initiated by his government, have been replicated in other states like Andhra Pradesh.

Dedicating his government's success to the bureaucrats and police, he said he was aware of the tremendous job being performed by them and called for greater cooperation among them for achieving better results.

Urging the bureaucrats to take steps to eliminate duplicate ration cards, he said top priority should be given to schemes like free colour TV, free land for the landless farmers and other welfare measures.

Finance Minister K Anbazhagan, Electricity Minister Arcot Veerasamy, Local Administration Minister M K Stalin, PWD Minister Duraimurugan, Higher Education Minister K Ponmudy and other ministers, Chief Secretary L K Tripathy, State DGP K P Jain and senior police officials attended the meeting.

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