Chennai: Political parties across Tamil Nadu, including DMK allies and opposition groups, condemned a series of recent incidents involving violence and drug abuse, including two incidents of knife attacks in Tiruttani. Citing other attacks on guest workers in Coimbatore and Tirupur, and incidents involving intoxicated youths threatening civilians and police personnel in public places, the party leaders issued statements, urging chief minister M K Stalin’s intervention.AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami said the incidents showed a failure to control drugs and maintain law and order and questioned govt’s claims that ganja was under control, citing recent seizures reported from Nagapattinam, Ramanathapuram and Trichy. He said public spaces were becoming unsafe and asked whether govt was willing to accept responsibility for “citizens living in fear”. Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagenthran said guest workers who came to Tamil Nadu for work were facing violence and DMK govt failed to prevent spread of drugs and attacks, including incidents where police personnel were threatened. TVK leader Vijay said the assault reflected the direction in which the state was heading, citing failures to identify and correct youth drifting towards drugs and violence. He said, “The govt lacked plans for education, employment and guidance for young people.” He called for immediate steps to control drug circulation during the remaining term. VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan said the attack on an Odisha guest worker, filmed and shared as a “reel”, brought discredit to the state. He called on the govt to stop such acts and ensure protection for migrant labourers. TNCC president K Selvaperunthagai condemned the machete attack by minors and called for an inquiry into why such thinking develops among students. He urged continuous legal education and strict punishment. CPM state secretary Shanmugham said drug use was a factor behind such crimes and sought action against drug networks, safety measures for migrants and stronger railway policing, along with treatment and compensation for the victim.
