Refugees must be monitored: Karunanidhi

With inflow of Sri Lankan refugees on the rise, Chief Minister M Karunandhi on Monday exhorted police and revenue officials to make joint efforts to ensure that no 'anti-social elements' used the situation to enter Tamil Nadu.

"We have to assist these refugees but at the same time we should not allow anti-social elements to enter the state in the garb of refugees," he said, inaugurating the District Collectors' conference.

As many as 13,844 refugees have reached Tamil Nadu after violence escalated in the island nation, he said.

Expressing satisfaction over the law and order situation, he said police and district authorities should be vigilant to curb extremist activities that may arise in the state.

"For this, intelligence gathering should become more fine-tuned and also the police and district authorities should identify sensitive spots and step up vigil," he said.

Karunanidhi's remarks assume significance in the backdrop of some suspected LTTE militants escaping from a quarantine centre in Rameswaram recently as well the seizure of arms and ammunition in Andhra Pradesh, the components of which were manufactured in Tamil Nadu.

Welcoming the gathering, Chief Secretary L K Tripathy said that Tamil Nadu was the 'top state' as far as governance and maintenance of law and order was concerned.

Within three months of assuming office, it has been ranked fourth in the country with regard to development. "We should ensure that we reach the top position (with regard to development) within one year," he said.