Barbaric Situation, Says EPS, Blaming Drug Menace

Chennai:AIADMK general secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) vehemently condemned the brutal attack on a migrant worker near Tiruttani, and accused the DMK government of failing to maintain law and order and control the spread of narcotics among youth.

Reacting to reports that the four 17-year-old boys attacked a young, migrant man with sickles after an altercation on a suburban train from Chennai to Tiruttani, Palaniswami said the incident was “utterly shocking” and deeply disturbing.

According to preliminary information, the boys were allegedly filming social media reels while brandishing knives on the train when the victim, identified as Suraj, objected to their behaviour.

After alighting at Tiruttani, the youths allegedly chased and assaulted him, leaving him grievously injured.

In a statement, Palaniswami said merely watching the video of the attack was chilling and raised serious concerns about the safety of citizens in public spaces. He expressed anguish that children of school-going age were allegedly involved in such violent acts, remarking that “hands meant to hold school books are now wielding deadly weapons”.

The former Chief Minister held the ruling DMK government responsible for what he described as a deterioration in public order.

He alleged that the state had been pushed into a “barbaric situation” due to the government’s failure to curb crime and substance abuse.

Palaniswami also referred to reports suggesting that the accused minors were under the influence of ganja at the time of the attack.

Questioning the administration, EPS asked how such young boys could gain access to drugs and weapons and placed responsibility on Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.

He accused the government of neglecting governance and allowing the drug menace to spread unchecked, thereby endangering the future of the state’s youth.

Calling for decisive action, Palaniswami urged the DMK government to ensure strict legal proceedings against the accused, in accordance with the law.

He also demanded tougher measures to address what he termed as the breakdown of law and order and to crack down on the drug trade, which he said was at the root of such violent incidents.

The police have stated that the minors involved have been apprehended and that the case is being investigated under relevant provisions, including the Juvenile Justice Act. Officials said further action would be taken based on the outcome of the investigation.

The incident has reignited political debate in the state over crimes by youth, drug abuse and public safety.