DMK Treasurer and Leader of Opposition in TN Assembly MK Stalin appealed to the Chennai police commissioner to not waste the ability and efforts of around 240 police officers by stationing them at the Poes Garden residence of late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, where her aide Sasikala Natarajan continues to reside.

Calling it an insult to the police force to be used like private security guards, Stalin wondered, “There is no one who has been democratically elected nor holds an official position at Poes Garden. Why are so many police stationed there?” Writing on his Facebook page, the DMK leader also said the tax payer’s money was being wasted by this illegal act.

According to a Times of India report, around 240 men including one Superintendent of Police, four additional superintendents, four deputy superintendents and seven inspectors of police are stationed at Poes Garden. They were also often made to do double shifts, including taking care of security at Chief Minister O Panneerselvam’s residence, TOI reported.

In his statement, Stalin claimed that those deployed at Poes Garden were given additional perks including Rs 6000 as risk allowance, police quarters, and a car for security related work. “All these benefits given to them are not available to people who are upholding law and order and controlling traffic,” he said.

While pointing to the increase in murders and robberies in Tamil Nadu over the last few years, Stalin noted the police force did not have enough resources to control the rising crime rate. 

With over 19,000 vacancies in the police force, the DMK leader appealed to Chief Minister Pannerselvam saying, “Under these circumstances you are using the efforts of police officers in this unnecessary task and instead they should be sent for their due responsibilities.”

He also warned that the DMK would move court if necessary action was not taken.