Chennai: Chief minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday told district collectors and police officers to function independently within the framework of law, assuring them that no individual would be allowed to interfere in their work.“Transparency should be the basic principle. Therefore, collectors and SPs can function independently within the framework of law. There will be no intervention by individuals,” he said at a meeting of collectors and superintendents of police in Chennai. “Action should be taken without any bias on any person, irrespective of their status, if they are found violating the law. At the same time, innocents should not be affected in the process,” he added.Emphasising the role of the officers in enforcing law, Vijay asked them to take immediate and stern measures to ensure safety of women and children, prevent sexual assault, drug peddling and corruption, and provide essential services to people. “Any delay in filing FIR in crimes against women and children will not be tolerated. Fast-track the investigation in the Pocso cases,” he said. He also warned educational institutions not to delay the reporting of Pocso cases to authorities.Vijay asked officials ensure to accord the highest priority to women’s safety. “Women’s safety must be ensured 100%. No change and no compromise. Collectors and SPs should pay sharp and special attention,” he said. He directed officials to identify unsafe locations, crime-prone areas and accident hotspots, and expand CCTV coverage, particularly in second-tier cities and urban fringes. He also instructed senior police officers to review not just crime statistics but also the quality of investigations, compensation to victims and the status of pending cases every month.On the issue of drugs, Vijay called for a twin strategy of strict enforcement and demand reduction. He asked officers to closely monitor the spread of narcotics among guest workers in industrial hubs such as Chennai, Coimbatore and Tirupur. “Border districts including Tiruvallur, Kanyakumari, Tenkasi, Theni, Coimbatore, Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri should also intensify surveillance to curb drug trafficking,” he said. He asked the health department to conduct de-addiction camps in every district.He directed the labour welfare department to implement mandatory registration of guest workers to ensure their safety and prevent exploitation. “Guest workers should not be subjected to attacks or exploitation,” he said.Vijay added that people visiting govt offices and police stations with petitions and complaints should be treated with respect. He said stern action should be taken against caste discrimination and violence.
