Communist Party of India (CPI) State Secretary M. Veerapandian on Monday, 6 July called on the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government in Tamil Nadu to take swift, uncompromising action against crimes targeting women and children, warning that law and order cannot be placed on hold while a new administration settles in.

Zero Tolerance on Women's Safety

Speaking to reporters in Tiruchi, Veerapandian said sexual offences against women and children were unacceptable under any circumstances. He called on the government, the police, and intelligence agencies to shoulder greater responsibility in preventing such crimes.

'The government, the police and the intelligence machinery have an added responsibility to ensure the safety of women and children. Such offences must be dealt with an iron hand,' he said, responding to questions on the law and order situation in Tamil Nadu since the TVK assumed office.

While acknowledging that a newly elected government needs time to fulfil its pre-election promises, Veerapandian drew a clear line: maintaining public safety, he argued, admits no delay.

Mekedatu Dam Row: CPI Faults Centre's Silence

On the long-running Mekedatu dispute, the CPI leader criticised the Centre for remaining a 'mute spectator' to Karnataka's proposed drinking water-cum-balancing reservoir across the Cauvery river. He said the Union government must play a proactive role rather than allowing the inter-state standoff to fester.

Veerapandian warned that the project carries wider implications for federal relations and national unity, and that it would deepen the water crisis already faced by farmers in Tamil Nadu. He also urged Karnataka to honour existing arrangements for the timely release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.

Karur Stampede Relief: CPI Backs Government Jobs for Bereaved Families

Veerapandian welcomed the Tamil Nadu government's decision to provide a government job to one member of each family that lost a loved one in last year's Karur stampede. He described the move as a humanitarian measure and confirmed the CPI's support for it.

The formal announcement of appointments is expected during Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay's visit to Karur on 10 July.

CPI Plans Nationwide Padayatra from August 6

Veerapandian also announced that the CPI would launch a nationwide padayatra from 6 August to 15 August. The march will focus on rural distress, farmers' concerns, employment, and the welfare of ordinary citizens, while deepening the party's grassroots engagement across India.

With the TVK government still in its early weeks, the CPI's public positioning signals that allied and left-leaning parties intend to hold it accountable on both governance and welfare fronts from the outset.