Is the Tamil Nadu Police a 'Department of Deception'?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Tamil Nadu police accused of custodial violence.
- 217 individuals received injuries while in police custody.
- Nainar Nagenthran calls for police accountability.
- Criticism of the DMK's governance model.
- Public safety concerns highlighted by BJP leader.
Chennai, Oct 5 (NationPress) Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagenthran has fiercely criticized the state police and the ruling DMK government, alleging that the police have become a “department of deception” instead of serving and protecting ordinary citizens.
His comments came in response to shocking statistics obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act, revealing that over the last two years, 217 individuals arrested by the Tirunelveli district police were taken to the district government hospital with injuries to their limbs.
In a strongly worded statement, Nagenthran emphasized that these revelations highlight a troubling trend of custodial violence and a blatant disregard for human rights. “When DMK members commit crimes and the innocent get arrested, why has the police force become an arm of deceit? Isn’t its fundamental duty to protect the public?” he questioned.
Nagenthran further criticized what he referred to as the “Dravidian model” of governance, stating that it seems more focused on displaying toughness before elections rather than effectively preventing crime after taking office.
“Instead of beating and intimidating suspects, the DMK had promised to tackle crime with an iron fist before assuming power. Yet now, they are failing to curb criminal activities,” he remarked.
He highlighted the controversial actions of Tirunelveli ASP Balveer Singh, who was accused of torturing suspects, including allegedly breaking their teeth, suggesting that the district police have not learned from past mistakes.
“The DMK government claims to protect people, yet police cruelty continues unchecked. How many more innocent Ajith Kumars must suffer before the Chief Minister takes action?” Nagenthran posed.
He urged Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to personally address the situation, warning that public safety would remain in jeopardy if police violence and misuse of authority are not addressed. “Law and order are under the Chief Minister's direct supervision. He must understand that without controlling the police, many more innocents will be harmed, and public trust in the system will erode,” he cautioned.
Nagenthran's statements come amidst increasing scrutiny of Tamil Nadu's custodial practices, adding political pressure on the DMK to ensure transparency and accountability in law enforcement.