Most suicides by cops due to personal reasons, clarifies EPS

DMK MLA B Ranganathan during the debate on the budget accused the government that law and order was not maintained properly. However, Palaniswami denied the charge and stated, “The recent survey by the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) report bears testimony to the fact that Coimbatore city was ranked the first among the major cities and it was also the safest city for women. Even Chennai city was no exception among the metros, as it was ranked first.”

But, Ranganathan recalled the recent incidents, in which a couple of police personnel, including a sub-inspector shot themselves dead at former chief minister J Jayalalithaa memorial and Ayanavaram police station. 

Intervening, Palaniswami, who holds the Home portfolio, said the suicide of Armed Reserve constable M Arunraj at the Jayalalithaa memorial at the Marina and that of sub-inspector Sathish Kumar at Ayanavaram here were due to “private issues.” Both of them killed themselves using their service weapons, he said. 

“Thorough investigations stated that both of the cops committed suicide due to their personal issues. Further, the government is very keen to reduce the work pressure,” the CM said. Moreover, the government would also look into the workings of police department on whether leave and weekly-off are granted by the higher-ups properly. 

Palaniswami went on to say that police personnel were undergoing some programmes like yoga and routine medical camps were also conducted at regular interval. 

In a separate statement, he listed the various measures to ensure law and order situation in the state and pointed out that Tamil Nadu was the first one to induct transgenders in the police force.