TN CM Edappadi Palaniswami calls for strengthening intel mechanism to tackle threats to society

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami today described extremism, communalism and left-wing terrorism as "very big threats" to the society, and called for strengthening intelligence mechanisms to tackle anti-social elements.

Addressing a conference of collectors and district police heads here, he said efforts should be made to ensure that such elements do not take rise at all.

"Extremism, communalism and left-wing terrorism are very big threats to the society. To efficiently handle such challenges, intelligence organisations should be strengthened and they (anti-social elements) should be nipped in the bud," Palaniswami said.

The chief minister urged the collectors and district police heads to ensure that "destructive forces" are kept under control and ensure the state progressed on the growth path.

All-round peace is the hallmark of the AIADMK government, he said, adding people and groups acting against the interest of national security should be dealt with strictly under the National Security Act.

Palaniswami also urged the officials to ensure that there was no caste-related tensions and asked them to hold regular conciliatory meetings to ensure amity between different groups.

Elements trying to foment caste-related tensions should be identified and action should be initiated against them. On the safety front, authorities must employ "visible policing" to prevent instances of robbery and chain-snatching, he said.

There should be no delay in acting on complaints of economic offences, crimes against women and children, and honour killings, the chief minister said, adding, the perpetrators should be brought to the book swiftly.

Referring to the blaze at the famous Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai recently, Palaniswami said authorities concerned should take all steps to prevent recurrence of such incident.

Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, Chief Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan, Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Niranjan Mardi and DGP T K Rajendiran, among others, attended the conference.

The three-day conference will go on till March 7, with the chief minister scheduled to hold discussions with collectors and police officials separately also.