- विज्ञापन -
Chennai: Following the twin murders of an engineering student and his relative in Mayiladuthurai, the Tamil Nadu Police has initiated a statewide crackdown on history-sheeters and bootleggers.
The tragic incident happened during a confrontation between a group of youths and three bootleggers, leading to the violent deaths of Harish, a polytechnic graduate, and Harisakthi, an engineering student.
Police reports indicate that the suspects—Rajkumar, Thangadurai, and Moovendhan—were engaged in the illegal liquor trade on Muttam North Street and had a track record of threatening and assaulting individuals who challenged their actions. Rajkumar, in particular, had been arrested during a previous raid in the area.
In response to this event, Tamil Nadu’s Director General of Police (DGP) Shankar Jiwal convened a high-level meeting at police headquarters. To enhance public safety, he instructed officers to intensify efforts against history-sheeters and bootleggers.
As part of this crackdown, the Organised Crime Intelligence Unit (OCIU) is closely monitoring 550 active criminals. DGP Jiwal initiated targeted operations under the Drive Against Rowdy Elements (DARE) program to curtail criminal behavior. He also mandated that police update records of known offenders and maintain stringent surveillance on notorious criminals.
District Superintendents of Police have been directed to form teams led by Deputy Superintendents to monitor and investigate repeat offenders, particularly in areas notorious for high-profile crimes. The department is also focusing on prosecuting these criminals effectively to secure convictions. Officers are tasked with tracking hostile rowdies and rival gangs to avert further disturbances.
To dismantle criminal networks, authorities have started financial investigations into the assets and income sources of known rowdies, aiming to attach illegal properties to disrupt their financial support. Senior officials, including Deputy Commissioners of Police in urban areas and Additional Superintendents in rural districts, have been instructed to speed up court hearings for pending cases and seek cancellations of bail for repeat offenders.
Jayaram Venkatesan, the convener of the NGO Arappor Iyakkam, underscored the urgency for police action, referencing recent violent incidents, including the murder of anti-quarrying activist Jagabar Ali and two youths killed by illicit liquor vendors in Mayiladuthurai. He stressed the need for robust measures to mitigate illegal activities and prevent future crimes.
Meanwhile, Henri Tiphagne, Executive Director of the human rights organization People’s Watch, called for the strict enforcement of the 2006 Prakash Singh Supreme Court ruling on police reforms. He urged the Tamil Nadu government to ensure a fixed two-year tenure for supervisory police officers to enhance accountability and improve law enforcement efficiency.
