Chennai, Aug 24 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa Wednesday said her government has restored land valued at over Rs.415 crore, grabbed by DMK leaders, to the rightful owners.


Replying to the debate on the demand for grants for the home department, Jayalalithaa said during the DMK rule, its party men ranging from ministers to party cadres had grabbed the land after threatening the owners with the help of anti-social elements.

Despite complaints lodged by the owners, there was no proper action on the part of police during the DMK's rule.

"Once a new government was sworn in under my leadership. complaints to police of land grabbing started pouring in. Within three months, over 8,947 complaints were lodged and more complaints are being received,” Jayalalithaa said.

She said that out of 8,947 complaints, 462 cases were booked and chargesheets have been filed in three. As many as 419 people have been arrested and land valued at Rs.415.48 crore were recovered and handed over to their rightful owners.

Jayalalithaa said the government has set up 25 special courts and fast track courts to hear the land grab cases.

Citing the inaction of the police force on the land grab complaints during DMK's rule, she said it is the state leadership's that decides whether police functions properly or not.

She also charged DMK party men and persons close to former chief minister M. Karunanidhi of interfering with the proper functioning of police.