Recent murders cast shadow on policing, governance of AINRC-BJP in Puducherry

A team of officers led by Deputy Inspector General of Police Sathya Sundaram visited Villianur where the murder was reported. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT A series of murders in a span of a few weeks has cast a shadow on policing and the image of AINRC-BJP government in Puducherry.After the National Democratic Alliance-led by AINRC founder and Chief Minister N. Rangasamy returned to power in the Assembly polls held in April this year, several murders have been reported from different police stations limits in the region.In the last few weeks, at least 10 people, including two during last weekend, were killed in crimes related to gang rivalry and personal animosity. Some of the murdered persons were those with criminal past and part of fatal assaults carried out in the past.After the reports of two recent incidents of murder, the government has come under scrutiny of the Opposition and the public with many residents taking to social media platforms to voice their concerns about effectiveness of the measures taken by the police to prevent such crimes in the region.A few days before Deepavali, Home Minister and BJP leader A. Namassivayam, at a press conference, had tried to downplay the criticism by stating that most of the murders reported in the Union Territory were pertaining to previous enmities between groups. The incidents have not affected the public in any way, he had argued.Police officers, however, say there was no alarming rise in murders compared to previous years. They say, so far this year, 18 murders and 12 attempt-to-murders have been reported in the region. The number of murders reported for the entire year of 2025 was around 25 while attempt-to-murders reported were 27.“We have detected all the murders and attempt-to-murder cases reported last year. And this year, except in one murder case and three attempt-to-murders, we have solved all cases,” the officer said. However, the sudden spurt witnessed in the last few days has created panic among the public. “The Home Minister and the police may argue that the victims in most murder cases were people with criminal background or history-sheeters. But the government can’t guarantee that murders will not occur in broad daylight as the grisly incident reported on the ECR near Sivaji Statue in the end of September. The murder occurred when people were travelling on the stretch and anything could have happened at the time of the brutal assault,” said a trader at Muthialpet.According to a retired police officer, some of the murders related to gang rivalry or committed in a drunken state could not be prevented, but pro-active community policing could help law enforcers gather vital inputs on the crime scenario in the region. Based on the inputs, police could take preventive action. Also, the recent incidents have shown the weakness in regular monitoring of budding criminals, he added.DMK flays governmentAddressing a press conference at the Assembly on Wednesday, Opposition leader A.M.H. Nazeem said Puducherry has now become synonymous with murder.“Once a peaceful territory, Puducherry has now become a “kolai nakaram.” We have so many IPS officers and constabulary available to handle law and order duties. But the government and the police have failed to maintain law and order. Crime must be controlled with an iron-hand,” he said. According to him, there is a link between the murders and the growing culture of drugs. The police should take stern action to control both. DMK local unit convenor R. Siva also issued a statement criticising the government for its poor handling of the law-and-order situation.CPI local unit secretary A. M. Saleem in a statement said after the three murders reported in Rainbow Nagar, the Director General of Police had given an assurance to intensify patrolling, especially during night hours, but it was not implemented. “Strong criminal charges should be filed against the murderers. Public prosecutors appearing in criminal cases should fulfil their responsibility before the Court of Law to ensure severe penal action against the criminals,” he said. BJP’s ally Latchiya Jananayaka Katchi has also criticised the government over the law and order situation. Party MLA and founder Jose Charles Martin has criticised Mr. Rangasamy for not showing much interest in law and order matters.Meanwhile, a team of officers led by Deputy Inspector General of Police Sathya Sundaram visited Villianur where the murder was reported. Published - November 11, 2026 09:03 pm IST