‘Sofa model govt in deep sleep’

Chennai: Attacking the TVK govt over a 25-year-old woman’s body found buried near a road in Cuddalore, leader of opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin said chief minister C Joseph Vijay’s “sofa model” govt has slipped into a “deep sleep mode” on law and order.

He said since the formation of the new govt, not a day has passed without incidents of murder, robbery or sexual assault, raising doubts among the public about the existence of an effective law enforcement machinery in the state.

“He delivered high-octane punch dialogues on law and order during the election campaign, flipping through pages of promises, but has gone into deep slumber after assuming office,” Udhayanidhi said in a social media post on Friday.

He questioned the abrupt halt of ‘Singapen Special Force’, a flagship initiative for women’s safety that was scheduled to be inaugurated on Friday. “People are wondering whether the initiative has been postponed or quietly dropped,” he said.

“Does the govt intend to act against criminals or does it need an extension to figure out how to maintain basic law and order? Until then, can the state withstand, CM Sir,” he said, adding that public patience with the “sleeping” regime is wearing thin.

DMK deputy general secretary Kanimozhi Karunanidhi and AMMK leader T T V Dhinakaran too pulled up the chief minister for putting the launch of the ‘Singapen strike force’ on the backburner.

Slamming the TVK-led administration over the recent spate of heinous crimes against women and children, Kanimozhi demanded to know when the govt planned to crack down on the rising crime rate. She demanded to know the reason behind the stalled launch of TVK’s flagship ‘Singapen special force’ scheme.

Dhinakaran came down heavily on Vijay for failing to roll out the govt’s flagship women-safety initiative, wondering how the govt expects to ensure the safety of women and children in the state.