Stalin defends Tamil Nadu's crime rate improvement in assembly

In Tamil Nadu's assembly, the ruling DMK and opposition AIADMK clashed over crime rates. Opposition leader Edappadi Palaniswami (EPS) stated that four murders took place in the state on Wednesday alone. Chief Minister MK Stalin responded by claiming that murder rates overall dropped by 6.8% in 2024 compared to 2023. He highlighted a significant reduction in revenge murders by 42% during the same period. Stalin compared current crime numbers to those during the AIADMK's governance. He noted that in 2012, there were 1,943 murders, the highest in 12 years. In 2024, that number fell to 1,540, he said. While Stalin was speaking, EPS and other AIADMK members walked out, leading to a heated exchange. Stalin challenged EPS to stay and hear him out. He pointed out that he learned about murders through investigations rather than TV reports, unlike EPS. EPS detailed several recent crimes, including a murdered constable and a teacher, emphasizing this raised concerns about safety under the current government. He criticized the administration for its claim that "no one can escape the law." In response to specific cases, Stalin mentioned that investigations are ongoing and provided preliminary findings about some incidents, suggesting various reasons behind the crimes. There has been growing concern from the AIADMK and the BJP about law and order issues, including murders and violent crimes against women and children. The debate in the assembly reflects ongoing tensions regarding crime and safety in Tamil Nadu.