Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin on Monday rejected the allegation that the previous DMK government had failed to take steps during its five-year tenure to prevent the spread of drug culture in the State. He said the then Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin, had integrated the Narcotics Intelligence Bureau and the Prohibition Enforcement Department and created the Enforcement Bureau-CID (EB-CID) to achieve a drug-free State.

“Our government created awareness against drug use and seized narcotics. If data is required, it is available with the Minister,” he said while participating in a special calling-attention motion in the Assembly on the killing of engineering college student Amuthan in Coimbatore and school student Dhanush in Tiruvottiyur.

Mr. Udhayanidhi said even the Greater Chennai Commissioner of Police, A. Amal Raj, would be in a position to provide the details, as he had headed the EB-CID.

“If our government had not taken measures to control drugs in the State, why did the new government give such an important position to the officer? The 15 policemen who were given awards for controlling drugs on Independence Day had worked effectively during the DMK regime,” he said.

He also said while everyone was raising the issue of law and order, the Minister in charge of law and order, the Chief Minister, was not ready to respond.

Published - August 18, 2026 12:52 am IST