Tiruchi, July 6 (IANS) Communist Party of India (CPI) State Secretary M. Veerapandian on Monday urged the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government to ensure that there is no compromise when it comes to the safety of women and children, stressing that crimes against them must be dealt with swiftly and firmly.

Speaking to reporters in Tiruchi, Veerapandian said sexual offences against women and children were unacceptable under any circumstances and called upon the government, police and intelligence agencies to shoulder greater responsibility in preventing such crimes.

“The government, the police and the intelligence machinery have an added responsibility to ensure the safety of women and children. Such offences must be dealt with an iron hand,” he said while responding to questions on the law and order situation in Tamil Nadu after the TVK assumed office.

The CPI leader said his party recognised that the newly elected government would require time to fulfil the promises it had made before the Assembly election. However, he maintained that maintaining law and order could not be delayed and that immediate action was necessary whenever crimes affecting public safety occurred.

Commenting on the long-standing Mekedatu issue, Veerapandian criticised the Union government for remaining passive over Karnataka’s proposed drinking water-cum-balancing reservoir across the Cauvery river. He said the Centre should play a proactive role instead of remaining a “mute spectator” to the dispute.

He warned that the project could have wider implications for federal relations and national unity while further aggravating the water crisis faced by farmers in Tamil Nadu. Karnataka, he said, should ensure the timely release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu in accordance with existing arrangements.

Veerapandian also welcomed the Tamil Nadu government’s decision to provide government jobs to one member of each family that lost a loved one in last year’s Karur stampede. He described the decision as a humanitarian measure and said the CPI supported the move.

The government is expected to formally announce the appointments during Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s visit to Karur on July 10.

Announcing the party’s upcoming outreach programme, Veerapandian said the CPI would organise a nationwide padayatra from August 6 to August 15.

The campaign would focus on pressing socio-economic and political issues, including rural distress, farmers’ concerns, employment and the welfare of ordinary people, while strengthening the party’s engagement with the public across the country.

–IANS

aal/pgh