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N Sathiya Moorthy in Madras
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa said on Friday that she would not relieve the three Indian Police Service officers, whose services have been sought by the Centre.
"There is no question of relieving the three IPS officers," Jayalalithaa said.
"There is a dearth of 'good officers', and we cannot relieve them," she added.
Coming as it does a day after the state government had relieved Director-General of Police R Rajagopalan, who has been posted as the National Security Guard chief by the Centre, Jayalalithaa's current declaration shows a hardening of stand.
The central government has sought the services of Madras Police Commissioner, K Muthukaruppan, Joint Commissioner, S George and Deputy Commissioner, Christopher Nelson.
The three police officials were involved in the events connected with the arrest and alleged assault of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief and former chief minister Muthuvel Karunanidhi, and Union ministers, Murasoli Maran and T R Baalu.
According to state government sources, the Centre may not be able to initiate further action in the case of the three officers, as they have already moved the Madras Bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal.
"True, the CAT did not stay their proposed transfers as sought by them in the earlier hearing, only because they had not been formally served with the transfer orders," said the source.
"I hope the Centre doesn't precipitate the issue when it is already before the CAT," the source added.
With the Madras High Court set to hold further hearings on a PIL challenging the proposed transfer on Wednesday next, the Centre's reaction is being awaited now.
Complete coverage of the Karunanidhi arrest drama
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