Chief Minister Edappadi K.Palaniswami on Wednesday advised police officers to prevent custodial deaths, while asking them to bring to book criminals from neighbouring States and those helping them to commit crimes in Tamil Nadu.
Addressing a conference of senior police officers here, Mr. Palaniswami said, “The police force is expected to protect the people. When custodial deaths happen, people lose faith in the police. Hence, make sure to prevent custodial deaths.”
Mr. Palaniswami also said there had been a number of instances wherein criminals from north India and neighbouring States committed a crime in Tamil Nadu and escaped.
“Ensure that you find them and also those from the State who assist these criminals, and put a stop to their criminal activities,” he said.
The Chief Minister further told the officers that people who come to file a complaint should not be hassled and complaints should be registered without delays; also officers should not refuse to file complaints citing jurisdictional constraints.
Dwelling on the spate of idol thefts in the State, Mr. Palaniswami asked the police officers to show additional interest in these cases to arrest the thieves, retrieve the stolen idols and ensure that the criminals get adequate punishment.
Later, delivering the valedictory address at the conference of District Collectors and police officials, the Chief Minister announced a number of schemes that were sought by the officials. He also announced the allotment of funds for the projects.
Awards for officers
Funds for some of the projects include ₹20 crore each for the setting up of additional buildings at the Jayamkondan government hospital and the Kancheepuram government hospital for the maternity and children’s wing, ₹56 crore for a road overbridge over the Kollidam river, ₹24 crore for fixing new shutters at the KRP dam, and ₹17 crore for a check dam across the Vaigai river.
The CM also gave away awards to officers for distinguished performance. The District Collectors of Kancheepuram, Villupuram, and Salem; Superintendents of Police of Ariyalur, Kanniyakumari and Sivaganga; Heads of department of Chennai Metrowater, TNPCB and Labour Commissionerate; the Chennai City police Commissioner; and the Chennai Corporation received awards for distinguished performance in disposal of the CM’s special cell petitions.
The Collectors of Tiruvarur, Erode and Villupuram, received awards for implementing the projects of the Agriculture department, while officers of the Health and Family Welfare department from nine districts won awards for three years: 2013-14 to 2015-16.
IAS officers belonging to Tiruvarur, Ramanathapuram and Coimbatore won awards for the removal of silt from water bodies.
