DMK treasurer MK Stalin alleged that the police department is "unable" to function independently. (File photo)
Hitting out hard at ruling AIADMK over crimes against women, DMK treasurer MK Stalin today alleged that the police department is "unable" to function independently and demanded the state immediately fill up 19,157 vacancies and uphold law and order.
Citing the murder of Chennai techie S Swathi and the suicide of Salem woman Vinupriya after her morphed image was uploaded on Facebook in which police were blamed for inaction, he said, such incidents were shocking and showed how the "state police is struggling."
Alleging that rowdyism has risen its 'ugly head' and the "contract killing culture" was "spreading rampantly", he said in a Facebook post that such incidents which affect law and order, the police were struggling and could not take stern measures.
The Leader of Opposition claimed that "in the AIADMK regime, police department is unable to function independently and that is one reason" for such a scenario. Another key factor was piling vacancies in the department, he said.
Madras High Court, in its recent directive had asked the state government to fill up vacancies in Tamil Nadu Police, he said, and urged the vacancies be filled up immediately.
He also wanted pending promotions be done quickly, "and politics not be done in appointing officials for key responsibilities and AIADMK government should come forward to uphold law and order."
"I urge the AIADMK government to intensify steps to end crimes by doing away with shortage of personnel and vehicles in the police department."
His comments come a day after DMK chief M Karunanidhi launched a scathing attack on the police department for 'failing' to protect the common man.