Chennai , 06 September (H.S.): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Sunday paid tribute to police personnel across the state, describing their service as crucial to public safety, social harmony and the protection of citizens' rights.

Marking Tamil Nadu Police Day, Vijay said officers routinely work in demanding conditions and face risks while preventing crime, maintaining order and responding to emergencies. Their courage and commitment, he said, merit respect from society.

The Chief Minister also placed police welfare and modernisation at the centre of his government's plans. He promised steps to ease workloads, strengthen operational capacity and provide officers with technology suited to evolving security challenges.

Support for police families would receive equal attention, Vijay said, adding that effective law enforcement depended not only on equipment and training but also on the well-being and confidence of those serving in the department.

In a social media message issued for the occasion, the Chief Minister recalled the historical importance of the Madras District Police Act of 1859. The legislation is regarded as a milestone in the development of a modern, structured police force in the region.

Vijay said the responsibilities of the police extend far beyond regular law-and-order duties. Officers are frequently among the first to respond during natural disasters, accidents, hazardous incidents and other crises, often putting their own safety at risk to protect lives and property.

He said the government's proposed measures would combine administrative reforms, technological upgrades and welfare initiatives. Reducing pressure on personnel, he added, could improve efficiency and enable the force to respond more effectively to public needs.

Concluding his message, Vijay saluted serving officers and thanked them for their dedication. Their continued work, he said, remained essential to ensuring peace, enforcing the law and safeguarding communities throughout Tamil Nadu in both ordinary times and periods of crisis.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman