Tamil Nadu Launches 'Singa Pen' Women Special Task Force; ₹354 Crore Allocated in First Phase

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay officially launched the Singa Pen Women Special Task Force, a dedicated police unit aimed at enhancing women's safety and security across the state.

Speaking at the launch event held at Rajarathinam Stadium in Chennai's Egmore, the Chief Minister announced that the state government has allocated more than ₹354 crore in the first phase of the project. He also revealed that 2,500 new positions will be created in the second phase to strengthen the force's operations.

The Singa Pen Task Force was one of the first major initiatives approved by Vijay after assuming office as Chief Minister on May 10. The proposal was among the first files signed by him upon taking charge.

According to the government, the new force will work alongside existing women's safety mechanisms and focus primarily on preventing crimes against women before they occur. The unit will conduct regular patrols, surveillance operations, and preventive policing measures in vulnerable areas.

The Chief Minister stated that the force will specifically target offenses such as:

• Stalking and harassment of women
• Sexual harassment
• Attempted abductions
• Misconduct in public places
• Harassment on buses and public transport
• Crimes against women in crowded locations

To support its operations, the government has sanctioned modern patrol vehicles, advanced technological equipment, and specialized resources designed to improve response times and monitoring capabilities.

A key feature of the initiative is the introduction of drone-based surveillance patrols, which the government claims will be the first such women-focused policing initiative of its kind in India. The drones will assist law enforcement agencies in monitoring public spaces and identifying potential threats more effectively.

Officials stated that by assigning preventive patrol responsibilities to the Singa Pen Task Force, existing All-Women Police Stations will be able to focus more on investigations, filing charge sheets, and ensuring swift action against offenders.

Addressing the gathering, Vijay emphasized that the government understands the expectations of women across Tamil Nadu and is committed to fulfilling them. He reiterated that ensuring women's safety and dignity remains one of the administration's highest priorities.

The launch of the Singa Pen Women Special Task Force marks a significant step in Tamil Nadu's efforts to strengthen public safety infrastructure and improve protection mechanisms for women throughout the state.