Chief Minister Vijay launches 'Singappen' Task Force; TN to get drone patrols for women's safety

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay has launched "Singappen" (Lioness), a new rapid-response police unit dedicated to tackling crimes against women and children.

Speaking at the launch event at Rajarathinam Stadium in Egmore, Chennai, where he reviewed a ceremonial parade and unveiled the unit's official insignia, the Chief Minister announced that Tamil Nadu will be the first state in India to introduce drone-based aerial patrolling specifically for women's safety.

According to officials, the drones will work alongside local surveillance networks to monitor vulnerable areas, including educational institutions, tech parks, transit hubs, and poorly lit public spaces.

The government has outlined a multi-phase strategy to scale the unit's operations across the state:

• Phase One: An initial allocation of over ₹354 crore has been sanctioned for infrastructure, specialised patrol vehicles, and tech gear. The patrol units are equipped with real-time GPS tracking, automated distress sirens, wireless communication linked to a central command room, and high-resolution cameras.
• Phase Two: A specialised recruitment drive will be initiated to add 2,500 new positions exclusively for the Singappen brigade to expand its footprint statewide.

The force will operate under the direct oversight of the Chief Minister's office and is led by senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer K. Bhavaneeswari, who serves as the unit's Inspector General of Police (IGP). An initial team of officers drawn from cybercrime wings, intelligence branches, and social media monitoring cells has already been mobilised.

During his address, Chief Minister Vijay emphasised a policy of zero tolerance for offenders, promising fast-tracked chargesheets and stringent legal penalties. He also linked the rise in crimes against women to systemic drug trafficking networks, pledging an aggressive crackdown on narcotics distribution across Tamil Nadu.