Leader of Opposition K. Palaniswami said Chennai is turning into a murder city with 18 murders in 20 days. Greater Chennai City police commissioner Shankar Jiwal refuted the claim and said only 10 murders took place in the city.
Jiwal added four of the murders were due to personal enmity. The other six were due to family disputes. Palaniswami made the remark after BJP's district leader, K. Balachander's murder in Chennai's Chintadripet area.
A small-time financier Arumugham (36) was chased and hacked to death by four men on the busy Aminjikarai road in broad daylight. The incident shocked the city and many have been demanding answers for the rising crime rate. A 55-year-old priest was also hacked to death by three men in Madurai on May 26. The DGP said the police arrested the culprits who were relatives of the victim.
On April 19 and 26 in two separate incidents in Chennai and Mayiladuthurai, two alleged custodial deaths also embarrassed the state police. While the police officers responsible for the incident were arrested, the department was at the receiving end of a severe backlash.
The deaths of two youngsters in Chengalpattu district, adjoining Chennai in January had already created panic among businessmen. The town is home to manufacturing units of major industries including automobile manufacturers and software companies. The violence could affect investors' confidence.
"The government is trying its best it seems, but we need assurance that the police will deal with an iron hand," said R. Swaminathan, head of industrial relations in an MNC.
When the DMK government took charge, one of the promises was that the police will take strict action against miscreants. On the contrary, Tamil Nadu has been seeing more crime and an increased number of murders.
DGP C. Sylendrababu made a statement on May 24 that the "law and order situation was well maintained in the state". He said no instances of caste or communal clashes have been reported in Tamil Nadu. The officer noted the absence of firing or deaths due to spurious liquor. "So, it is very peaceful".