Tamil Nadu Transport Minister S.S. Sivasankar has accused the previous AIADMK government, led by Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), of allowing a dangerous rise in gun culture across the state during its time in power.

Speaking to reporters, the Minister said that from 2018 to 2020, when AIADMK ruled Tamil Nadu, many serious crimes involving illegal firearms took place. He claimed that homemade guns were widely made and sold during this period.

Sivasankar listed several incidents to support his claims, including a bank robbery in Adyar in 2018, a doctor arrested in 2020 with guns near Kumbakonam, and a police constable caught for gun trafficking in Chennai. He also mentioned the murder of a grocery shop owner using a country-made weapon.

He criticised EPS for commenting on the PMK functionary Chakravarthy’s death, saying the DMK government had already ordered a re-investigation under the law. Sivasankar questioned how EPS, who led what he called a lawless regime, could now talk about law and order.

The Minister also reminded that even a Madras High Court judge, Justice Kirubakaran, had pointed out in 2020 that illegal guns were entering Tamil Nadu from other states like Bihar and Jharkhand.

Sivasankar concluded by saying that the DMK government is taking strong action to control such crimes, and urged EPS to stop blaming others and instead reflect on his own record while in power.