Singappen Special Force launched in Tamil Nadu for women's safety

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Tuesday launched the Singappen Special Force, a dedicated police unit to strengthen the safety and security of women across the state.

The Singappen Special Force was one of the measures the chief minister announced immediately after he was sworn last month.

An initial outlay of Rs 354 crore has been allotted under the Singappen Athiradi Thittam (action plan). The initiative is expected to create 2,500 jobs.

The special force will patrol and monitor public spaces, identify vulnerable areas, and implement corrective measures to improve safety. It will focus on preventing harassment of women and children in public places, enhancing police visibility, and fostering greater public confidence. The initiative also seeks to promote community participation and build a more women- and child-friendly society.

The chief minister launched the force at an event held at Rajarathinam Stadium in Egmore, Chennai. During the event, Vijay outlined the unit's objectives. 

The chief minister said the special force was the first of several safety initiatives to be implemented by the government.

Commenting on crimes against women, he said, “My eyes tear up hearing news about atrocities against women. Why do these happen? When you analyse them, it all boils down to the widespread prevalence of drugs... Drugs, atrocities against women, law and order—all these are interlinked. It’s not just a law and order issue. It’s linked to social conduct.... We need to be responsible citizens to address the issue."

He said offenders would face swift action, with the police fast-tracking investigations and charge sheets, and the judicial system ensuring strict punishment for those convicted. 

The chief minister also announced that the Singappen taskforce will deploy India's first drone patrol initiative to enhance women's safety. The initiative will also equip personnel with modern vehicles and state-of-the-art equipment to enhance the effectiveness of safety and security measures.

Image credit: x.com/CMOTamilnadu