TN CM Vijay: Individual Crimes Should Not Define State's Law and Order

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Monday drew a distinction between isolated criminal acts and the broader law and order situation in the state, asserting that not every offence should be framed as a governance failure.

Responding to a debate on the demand for grants for the Police and Fire and Rescue Services departments in the Assembly, Vijay said the public outlook towards crime needs to change. He argued that a government cannot be held responsible for every offence, noting that not all crimes were committed within the last 100 days.

The Chief Minister listed several root causes behind criminal behaviour, including family and property disputes, personal enmity, vendetta, drug use, caste identity, and local or political power struggles. He also pointed to the performance of police under certain individuals and the loss of fear of the law during the previous government as contributing factors.

Vijay reiterated his stance from a recent conference of Superintendents of Police, stressing that a policeman's role should not end with arresting a culprit. Instead, he said, police must work to prevent crime by building close ties with residents in their jurisdiction.

On cybercrime, the Chief Minister said it had become a major global challenge in the digital age. He argued that merely equipping police to handle such cases is insufficient; society must also be given digital skills and awareness.

Expressing concern about students getting involved in criminal incidents, Vijay said families must be engaged and proper guidance provided. He attributed such behaviour to circumstances, lack of familial care, bad company, social media influence, and a lack of drug awareness. He refused to blame a 'drug culture' for student behaviour, calling that an abdication of leadership.

"We have chopped off the branches of drug culture that had grown into a tree. We need to root it out," he said, adding that police have been directed to act swiftly in cases of crimes against women and children.