Drug menace spread far and wide in Keralam, says Home Minister
Claiming broad political support for the anti-drug campaign ‘Operation Toofan’, Ramesh Chennithala says no individual would receive protection on political grounds; the initiative has received strong public backing, particularly from parents and women’s groups, he adds
Kerala's Home Minister, Ramesh Chennithala, declared that Operation Toofan, the state's anti-drug campaign, has yielded significant results in a recent interview with The Hindu. In just 76 days since its inception, the initiative has registered over 10,000 cases, arrested nearly 10,000 individuals, and seized narcotics worth more than ₹100 crore.
The Home Minister underscored drug abuse as a severe threat to the state's youth, claiming the crackdown began upon his appointment as Home Minister. Toofan is structured around three components: Toofan Strike, Toofan Warriors, and Toofan Care. The Strike pillar targets drug traffickers and distributors, while Warriors mobilize citizens and community groups against drug abuse. Toofan Care offers rehabilitation and treatment for addicts.
The Home Minister explained the disparity between users and traffickers, stating that addicts should be treated as victims in need of care, while those profiting from the trade would be subject to stringent legal actions. Properties linked to drug trafficking are being seized to deter the business. Keralam's anti-drug campaign has resulted in 10,213 cases and the arrest of 9,941 persons, with narcotics such as MDMA, ganja, and other synthetic drugs seized.
The Home Minister emphasized that the problem extends beyond the state, involving sophisticated networks across state and international borders. Recent arrests of two Nigerian nationals linked to drug supply networks highlight the evolving tactics of traffickers, who now utilize various transportation methods, including sea, air, rail, courier services, and food-delivery platforms.
Close coordination with various agencies, including the Narcotics Control Bureau, Customs, Railway Police, Intelligence Bureau, and neighboring states, has been essential to the campaign's success. A meeting of police chiefs from five southern states was convened to enhance intelligence sharing and joint operations. The Home Minister affirmed that no individual would be protected based on political grounds, citing the recent arrests of Youth Congress members.
Public support for the initiative has been strong, especially from parents and women's groups, with some expressing concern that failing to act could ruin an entire generation. Preliminary assessments indicate a 30% reduction in overall crime and a 40% decline in road accidents since the campaign began.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
