A circular, directing all Tamil Nadu Special Police (TSP) battalions to report to their respective headquarters, issued by the Director General of Police on Tuesday triggered panic among people.
Shortly after the circular became public on mobile messaging platforms, rumours spread about DMK leader M. Karunanidhi’s health condition and the continuance of the ruling party in power.
In his order to all Commissioners of Police, Superintendents of Police, Zonal Inspectors-General of Police and others, DGP T.K. Rajendran said all TSP companies should return to their respective bases in a couple of days. He also directed the CoPs and SPs to mobilise their Armed Reserve strength “to meet out the contingency in their jurisdiction.”
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'Routine circular'
While senior police officials parried questions on the nature of the “contingency”, a police officer said it was a routine circular asking the TSP companies to return to the base.
In the normal course, TSP companies are drawn for local bandobust arrangements and sent back after the purpose is served. In the recent times, such companies diverted from several battalions were stationed at various locations for many months.
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“TSP personnel should be deployed only when a contingency arises and not as a matter of routine. There are 15 TSP battalions, of which one is located in New Delhi where the external security for the Tihar Jail is provided by the Tamil Nadu Police. Some 1,500 men have been moved to Armed Reserve…we have about 13,000 TSP personnel who should be stationed in their respective battalion headquarters to undergo refresher courses etc,” the officer said.
Meanwhile, DMK leader K.Anbazhagan made a courtesy call on Mr. Karunanidhi at the latter's Gopalapuram residence in Chennai in the evening.