Thiruvananthapuram (Keralam) [India], July 8 (ANI): Keralam Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Wednesday said the state government will convene a meeting with the Chief Ministers of southern states to strengthen coordination under its anti-drug campaign, “Operation Toofan”, as part of efforts to curb the growing menace of narcotics.
Speaking to reporters, Chennithala said he would begin consultations with neighbouring states by meeting the Karnataka Chief Minister before reaching out to other southern state leaders.
“We will hold a meeting with the CMs of all the southern states regarding ‘Operation Toofan’. Today, I will meet the CM of Karnataka, and later I will meet the other CMs. The menace of drugs has to stop, which is why we are taking action,” Chennithala said.
The proposed meeting comes as Kerala intensifies its anti-drug enforcement through Operation Toofan, a statewide campaign targeting drug trafficking and the illegal possession of narcotic and psychotropic substances.
The campaign has resulted in thousands of arrests and multiple cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, according to state authorities.
Earlier on July 3, four persons, including an Army personnel, were arrested for allegedly assaulting police officers during a vehicle inspection conducted as part of Operation Toofan at Payattamkunnu in Palakkad district.
According to police, a team led by Hemambika Nagar Sub-Inspector S Sudarshana had signalled a car approaching from the Malampuzha side to stop for a routine inspection. During the search, officers allegedly recovered a bottle of liquor from inside the vehicle.
Police said that when the occupants were asked to step out of the vehicle for further verification, they allegedly attacked the police team.
Sub-Inspector Sudarshana sustained injuries during the altercation, while Grade Sub-Inspector John Xavier and Senior Civil Police Officer Rajeesh were also injured when they intervened.
Following a prolonged struggle, police overpowered the four occupants and took them into custody.
According to the police, the assault was allegedly led by Jijeesh, an Army personnel from Kanjirappuzha in Mannarkkad, who had recently returned home on leave from Ranchi.
A case has been registered against all four accused for allegedly obstructing public servants from discharging their official duties. Further investigation is underway.
In another action under Operation Toofan, a tattoo artist from Sikkim was arrested at Palakkad Junction Railway Station after Excise officials, during a joint inspection with the Railway Protection Force (RPF), allegedly recovered prescription Tramadol tablets from his possession without valid authorisation.
The Kerala government has maintained that Operation Toofan will continue with intensified enforcement and inter-state coordination to tackle drug trafficking networks operating across southern India. (ANI)
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