CHENNAI: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami and BJP state president Nainar Nagendran on Wednesday strongly criticised the state government, alleging a spike in drug-fuelled crimes and targeted attacks in Tamil Nadu.

In a statement, Palaniswami cited recent incidents, including the brutal assault on a youth in Tiruttani and a man in Tirupur attempting to attack a policeman with a knife under intoxication, claiming these pointed to an alarming spread of narcotics.

He said it was shocking that a Chief Minister who heads the Home Department remained unaware of the situation. Calling it a failure of governance, he said people were living in fear of being attacked at any moment by those under the influence of drugs.

He took objection to Health Minister Ma Subramanian’s remark that there was no drug movement in the state and said the minister should feel ashamed for making such a statement.

The government, he said, had lost the moral right to continue.

Nagendran, in a statement, expressed concern over attacks on migrant workers, referring to the death of a youth from Kolkata after he was assaulted in Coimbatore. He accused the ruling DMK of creating a social atmosphere filled with divisive politics and allowing anti-social elements to thrive. Tamil Nadu, once known for harmony, was being turned into a centre of violence, he said.

He demanded that Chief Minister Stalin respond immediately and take responsibility for the deteriorating law and order situation.