DMK president M. Karunanidhi on Monday strongly criticised the police for its “failure” to provide security to the Tamil Eelam Supporters Organisation (TESO) conference.
“There was not a single policeman in the venue of the conference on the grounds of the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) at Royapettah or outside, though the conference was attended by various national leaders, foreign delegates and thousands of participants,” he said. The only security arrangements at the conference were for those leaders who were covered under ‘Z’ grade security.
Mr. Karunanidhi said the lack of security was “highly regrettable and condemnable”, in light of the High Court’s direction to the City Police Commissioner to take steps to ensure that the meet was held in a peaceful manner.
The DMK leader said participants of the conference, especially foreign delegates were shocked and surprised by the absence of police force in the conference venue and outside.
“Parties may come to power and go. But officials remain permanent. It will not augur well for the democracy if the police functions with the motto that the wish of the ruling party is their command,” Mr. Karunanidhi said.
The DMK chief insisted that the blame lay with the ruling party. “Those who tried to make use of a ruling party man to obtain a stay against the TESO conference had to bite the dust. The people of Tamil Nadu have fully understood that those who tried to shift the blame on police could not succeed in their attempt,” he said.
Mr. Karunanidhi said the TESO conference had put paid to the hopes of those who believed that leaders from North India and foreign representatives would not participate in the conference.
He said the event was a huge success despite the anti-Tamil attitude of the AIADMK government and thanked the Judges of the Madras High Court for granting permission to the conference, the party workers for their contribution and the media for their coverage of the event.
