Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Sunday said the police intelligence network in the State should be strengthened to keep a constant vigil on extremism and fundamentalism.
Delivering the inaugural address at the two-day conference of Collectors and Police Officers at the Secretariat, she said while enforcing the law, one should not underestimate even small incidents, as such incidents may have the potential to create communal or caste disturbances. Police officers should be highly alert and prevent such incidents by displaying adroitness in handling such complex issues.
Ms. Jayalalithaa said top priority would be given to periodical training of police personnel and equipping them with sophisticated arms, communication and logistic equipment for quick and accurate response.
“With the growing reach of terrorism and naxalism, there are multiple sources of threat to our society. I have always sought to ensure that extremism is countered effectively and is not allowed to foster divisive tendencies within the fabric of our society. I am sure the police will undertake sincere efforts to ensure a peaceful environment in Tamil Nadu. Keeping these destructive influences under check is a pre-requisite for the State to move forward on the path of development at an accelerated pace,” she said.
Mentioning that one of the objectives of the conference was to primarily focus on effective maintenance of law and order, she said the State government had embarked on a course of putting down anti-social elements and rowdies and also gave a free hand to the police to handle all issues without any fear.
Swift and stringent action against land grabbers had restored confidence in the State government and in the police among the general public. This action would be followed up by restoration of lands and properties to the original owners through due process of law, she said.
Stating that corruption was the biggest hindrance to achieving the goal of good governance, she said that as district heads, Collectors had the onerous task of cleaning up the system and improving service delivery. They have to live up to the expectations of the people as their efficiency or lack of it reflected on the government.
She said her government was resolved and committed to giving a clean, transparent, efficient and responsive administration. She also said several electoral promises had been translated into various schemes and programmes.
