Police modernisation helped eliminate LTTE - Jayalalitha

Modernization of the police force was instrumental in curbing the activities of Sri Lanka's Tigers in Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister Jayalalitha told the state assembly Tuesday.

"When I took over as chief minister in 1991 for the first time, I saw a demoralized police force. They had then only musket rifles used during the Second World War," she said.

"The police needed better weapons, such as AK 47 rifles, and I decided to modernize the force to check the LTTE," Jayalalitha said, adding that Rs.100 million a year had been sanctioned for the purpose. Funds had also been sought from the central government.

"With these funds, vehicles and modern arms such as AK 47s, 7.62 mm guns and 9 mm pistols were purchased," Jayalalitha said.

"Only after this did the LTTE, which so far had a free run, realize it could not thrive in the state."The chief minister informed that around 13,000 quarters would be constructed for police personnel by the end of 2005-06.

More than 40 percent of the state's 96,000-strong police force had already been provided quarters. Jayalalitha said a special battalion would be created for security in the state's vulnerable coastal areas.

-SN-