Vijay launches ‘Singappen Athiradi Padai’, vows zero tolerance towards crime against women

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president and Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Tuesday inaugurated the “Singappen Athiradi Padai” (Lioness Rapid Response Force), a dedicated unit established to address crimes against women. The launch event was held at Rajarathinam Stadium in Egmore.

Addressing the gathering, Vijay described the initiative as one of special importance and reiterated his government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of women. He stated that offences against women would not be tolerated and announced that ₹354 crore had been allocated for the project. The initiative is also expected to create around 2,500 positions across Tamil Nadu.

As part of the inauguration, Vijay unveiled the official insignia of the new force and drove a specially equipped commando vehicle designated for the unit.

Speaking on the broader issue of women’s safety, the Chief Minister observed that crimes against women have existed for generations and cannot be eliminated solely through policing measures. He stressed the importance of both effective law enforcement and stronger social responsibility in preventing such offences.

Vijay said the government would work to accelerate investigations and legal procedures in cases involving crimes against women, including the quicker filing of charge sheets to support timely prosecution

He also announced plans to introduce drone-assisted patrols to strengthen surveillance and monitoring efforts. According to Vijay, the newly formed force will focus on tackling offences such as stalking, sexual harassment, intimidation, and incidents of molestation in public transport and crowded areas.