Chennai: Barely a fortnight since C. Joseph Vijay took oath as the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, he is under a fierce attack from the Opposition for what they call deteriorating law and order in the state after a series gruesome incidents, including the alleged sexual assault and murder of a 10-year-old girl.
The incident with the 10-year-old girl in Coimbatore’s Sulur last Thuersday was followed by alleged sexual assault of a 11-year-old girl from Villupuram. In yet another shocking incident, a 17-year-old boy from Madurai was hacked to death on Monday.
Responding to the criticism, Revenue Minister K.A. Sengottaiyan said that long-standing issues cannot be fixed overnight. “The ministers have just assumed office. It is unfair and unrealistic to expect decades-old issues to disappear overnight,” Sengottaiayan said.
Chief Minister Vijay, meanwhile, held a meeting with senior police officials on Monday amid mounting criticism. According to an official statement from the government, it has been directed that there should be strict action on crimes against women and children.
The directive calls for swift investigation and stringent action under relevant laws, including the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, for sexual assaults.
மதுரையில் மீனாட்சி அம்மன் கோயில் அருகே சிறுவன் வெட்டிக்கொலை செய்யப்பட்ட செய்தி அதிர்ச்சி அளிக்கிறது.
விடிந்ததும், இதுபோன்ற செய்தியை கேட்கவேண்டிய நிலையில் தமிழ்நாடு உள்ளது வேதனையளிக்கிறது. குழந்தைகள், பெண்கள், மாற்றுத்திறனாளிகள், முதியவர்கள் என யாருக்கும் பாதுப்பில்லாத…
— Kanimozhi (கனிமொழி) (@KanimozhiDMK) May 25, 2026
Vijay vowed zero tolerance for such incidents, and stressed on enhanced measures for the safety of women and children, along with better coordination among district officials to prevent recurrence and ensure speedy justice.
Incidentally, “deteriorating” law and order under the DMK government was one of Vijay’s major poll planks.
கடுங்குற்றச்செயல்களில் ஈடுபடுவோர் மீது துரிதமாக வழக்குப் பதிந்து அதனை விரைவாக விசாரணை செய்தும், வழக்கினை நடத்தியும், கடும் தண்டனை பெற்றுத்தர வேண்டும் என மாண்புமிகு தமிழ்நாடு முதலமைச்சர் திரு.ச.ஜோசப் விஜய் அவர்கள் உத்தரவு.#CMJosephVijay pic.twitter.com/dKyZufcDZP
— CMOTamilNadu (@CMOTamilnadu) May 25, 2026
The cases and police response
Police have launched investigations in the three cases and made arrests. Two people were arrested last week in the Coimbatore case.
In the Villupuram case, 62-year-old carpenter N. Kanniyappan was arrested by Kottakuppam All-Women Police for allegedly sexually assaulting the 11-year-old Class 5 girl on Saturday near Marakkanam
The accused reportedly lured the girl by asking her to buy vada and then allegedly touched her inappropriately. A POCSO case was registered based on a complaint filed by the girl’s mother, and the accused was remanded in judicial custody.
In the Madurai case, the 17-year-old boy was hacked to death allegedly by a five-member gang near a parking area, managed by the Madurai Corporation, close to the Meenakshi Amman Temple.
The boy was attacked allegedly by a gang of five armed with sickles when he was sleeping. The five assailants, one of whom has been identified as Muthumani, have been arrested.
Police sources say that they suspect the murder stemmed from prior enmity linked to a dispute during the recent temple festival. The deceased reportedly had multiple pending criminal cases.
New govt under attack
The three incidents have triggered sharp political reactions, with Opposition parties questioning the Vijay government’s ability to deliver on its campaign promises regarding law and order, the issues TVK had heavily criticised the previous DMK regime for.
DMK leader Kanimozhi said the news of a boy being hacked to death near the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai is shocking.
“It is painful that Tamil Nadu is in a state where such news is heard every morning. Tamil Nadu has become a state where no one, including children, women, differently-abled, or the elderly is safe. Does the new government realize that law and order has been severely deteriorated?” Kanimozhi wrote on X.
AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami, who had also questioned the seriousness of the government on law and order issues after the Coimbatore sexual assault case, once again attacked the TVK government.
“Is the current government another DMK government in destroying women’s safety? Where is the safety for women and girl children in Tamil Nadu?” he said.
EPS reminded Vijay of his election promises, and asked him to take strict action.
BJP State President Nainar Nagendran condemned the Madurai murder and broader crime surge in the state.
“People in Tamil Nadu are now beginning each day with fear over reports of murders and crimes against women and children. The government has failed to address the very law and order concerns it had raised against the previous DMK regime. Only the government has changed, while the sufferings continue,” he said.
How many more lives would be lost before the administration acts, he asked.
BJP leaders, including former state president K. Annamalai, urged the Vijay government to “come out of celebratory mode” and address the ground realities.
Meanwhile, Revenue Minister Sengottaiyan said the chief minister does not believe in issuing daily statements. “He will certainly meet the media at the appropriate time,” Sengottaiyan told the media on Monday.
He highlighted prompt action in the Coimbatore case, with the DGP directed to oversee investigations.
“Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay had directed the DGP to visit the spot and oversee the investigation. The other further legal proceedings being pursued with seriousness,” Sengottaiyan said.
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)
