Palaniswami’s pointed replies on policing

It all started with former ministers I Periyasamy and K Ponmudi of DMK taking turns targeting the police department, when the CM moved the demand for grants for Home Department.

Sexual crime against women in Pollachi, idol theft cases dealt by retired IG Pon Manickavel and the delay in executing the transfer of senior police officer S Murugan, who is facing a sexual harassment complaint filed by another woman officer created a heated debate in the Assembly.

At one stage, when the DMK MLA wanted to know why IG Pon Manickavel went to the Madras High Court complaining about the lack of coordination from state police, the CM shot back, saying that the officer was given a dedicated team of 204 uniformed staff ranging from the officers in the ranks of additional SPs, inspectors and sub-inspector. This is a 600 per cent increase in staff strength when compared to the past. Besides all logistical support, high end cameras, computers and printers were provided, but Pon Manickavel was able to file charge sheets only in 13 cases, including 6 in which the arrested were acquitted, the CM replied.

When Ponmudy wondered why the transfer of Murugan was not executed even after 9 months, the CM attributed the delay due to administrative norms and said that the officer would soon be transferred.