Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Friday took pride in saying that the Police Department in Tamil Nadu was receiving compliments from the people for discharging their duties in an efficient manner since they were able to function without any interference from any quarters.
“As soon as I assumed the office of Chief Minister for the third term in May 2011, I have freed the police force from the shackles of many ‘power centres’ prevailing then and ensured that they discharge their duties without any interference,” Jayalalithaa said after presenting the President of India medals and the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Medals to police personnel at a colourful function here.
The Chief Minister said due to the free functioning of the police force, lands grabbed from innocent people have been retrieved from encroachers and restored to their rightful owners.
The Chief Minister further said with a view to providing higher importance to maintenance of law and order, she had been taking steps to modernise and strengthen the TN police force.
The Chief Minister exhorted police personnel to discharge their duties with enhanced involvement and courage and bring down the crime rate further to win accolades from the public. She also quoted Swami Vivekananda’s words: “Devotion to duty is the highest form of worship of God”.
As many as 549 police personnel received medals on the occasion. Of the 549 medals, the Chief Minister presented 61 to the recipients, while the top brass of the State police presented the rest of the medals.
Police personnel from different wings performed self-defence martial arts. Personnel who have been trained in Krav Maga, a tactical martial system developed in Israel in the 1940s, displayed their skills on the occasion.
Tamil Nadu police personnel were the first to learn this technique in India. Dog show, weapon skill training by women personnel and cultural programmes followed the presentation of medals.
The medals were presented to police, vigilance, anti-corruption, fire and rescue services, prison and home guards and civil defence personnel for their gallantry, distinguished service, meritorious service, correctional service, outstanding devotion to duty, excellence in investigation, excellence in fingerprint science, excellence in technical and specialised service and excellence in public service.
DGP, K Ramanujam, said that of the total number of medals presented on the occasion, only 38 per cent were given by the Centre while the State government gave 62 per cent of the medals.
Since May 2011, the Chief Minister has made as many as 427 announcements for the Police Department. Besides, she has granted Rs 5 crore as discretionary funds for the department.