Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Tuesday, 9 June formally inaugurated the Singappen Task Force at Rajarathinam Stadium in Egmore, Chennai — a dedicated police unit established to prevent crimes against women and children. Vijay declared that drug abuse is the root cause of nearly all offences committed against women and girls, and pledged swift, firm action against perpetrators.

What the Task Force Is and What It Covers

The Singappen Task Force is a specialised policing unit designed around a preventive mandate — intervening before crimes occur rather than responding after the fact. The state government has allocated ₹354 crore for its implementation. The force carries exclusive uniforms and a distinct insignia to set it apart from regular police formations.

Senior officers including Superintendents of Police, Deputy Superintendents of Police, Inspectors, and Assistant Inspectors have been deployed across the unit. Inspector General K. Bhavaneeswari has been appointed to head the task force.

What Chief Minister Vijay Said

Addressing the gathering, Vijay stated that drug abuse was the driving factor behind almost all crimes committed against women and girls, and that the problem had taken deep roots because it had been ignored for years. 'We must first remove that root if we want to create a safer society,' he said.

He warned that offenders would face strict legal consequences, with the police directed to ensure speedy investigations, prompt filing of charge sheets, and rigorous prosecution. Vijay also cautioned officers against wrongful implication, urging them to maintain fairness while enforcing the law.

Background and Political Context

Vijay had made the formation of this task force a central commitment after assuming office as Chief Minister on 10 May. One of the earliest orders he signed was for the creation of a specialised unit dedicated to women's and children's safety. The launch at Rajarathinam Stadium marks the formal operationalisation of that pledge, less than a month after he took charge.

This comes amid broader concerns across Tamil Nadu about rising drug-related offences and their intersection with crimes against women — a pattern that law enforcement agencies in the state have flagged repeatedly in recent years.

Expansion Plans and Next Steps

Vijay announced that a second phase of expansion is planned, which will create 2,500 additional posts within the task force, significantly widening its operational reach across the state. The government has indicated that the unit's primary focus will remain on prevention — building a visible, responsive presence in communities most vulnerable to such crimes.

With the task force now operational, attention will shift to whether its preventive model and the government's stated anti-narcotics push translate into measurable outcomes on ground safety for women and children across Tamil Nadu.