Kerala, which is considered to be the most literate and aware country in India, is badly trapped in the drug trap. Due to this, an increase in violent incidents has also been seen in the state during the last few years. The seriousness of the situation can be gauged from the steps being taken by the state government.
To end the drugs mafia, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has launched a campaign named ‘Operation Toofan: The Narco Hunt’. Swift action is being taken against the drug smuggling network through Operation Toofan, so that the spread of synthetic drugs in the state can be stopped and the youth can be saved from drug addiction. Police, education, health and excise departments are jointly implementing this campaign.
Headlines
Kerala government is using digital intelligence against drugs.
The government also focuses on strengthening the digital surveillance system.
Efforts to track drug networks based on online platforms and encrypted communication channels
70% started taking drugs at the age of 10 to 15: Survey
According to the ‘Vimukthi Mission Survey’ of the Excise Department of Kerala, most of the teenagers here start using drugs between the age of 10 to 15 years. In most of the cases, these teenagers access drugs for the first time only through their friends. The survey also revealed that in Kerala, especially among the urban youth, there is an increasing inclination towards synthetic drugs like MDMA and methamphetamine away from traditional intoxicants. At present, the most used drug among teenagers in the survey was ganja, followed by tobacco and alcohol.
According to the survey, most of the teenagers used drugs out of curiosity, then gradually it became a habit. The role of his friends is very important in this. About 80% people said that their friends were the first source of access to drugs. At the same time, 70% started taking drugs between the age of 10 to 15 years. Since then he had to face conditions like trouble sleeping, anger, anxiety, depression, addiction, amnesia and behavioral changes.
Digital intelligence is also being used
The Kerala government’s Operation Toofan is completely different from the traditional campaigns against drugs. Digital intelligence will also be used in this campaign against drugs. For this, Kerala Police is taking the help of mobile applications and WhatsApp chatbot. In this, citizens will be able to give anonymous information about drug smuggling, its sale and suspicious activities. Officials have assured that the identity of those giving information will be kept secret.
Operation Toofan is also underway to strengthen digital surveillance systems to detect emerging drug networks that are operating through online platforms and encrypted communication channels. Officials say that this technology-based approach will help law enforcement agencies to trace the supply chain faster and deal more effectively with the growing threat of synthetic drugs.
Will other southern states join this fight of Kerala?
The Kerala government also wants to work together with neighboring states to break the back of organized drug networks. CM VD Satheesan said that he has written a letter to the Chief Ministers of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry for better coordination to strengthen Kerala’s anti-drug missions and operations and to break the drug trafficking network between the states.
He further said that to end the drug problem, real-time information sharing, joint operations and joint planning are necessary. For this, he has proposed a high-level meeting to make a joint action plan and fight together against drugs.
VD Satheesan said that under the leadership of Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, state police chief Ravada Chandrasekhar and Tactical Commander Putta Vimaladitya will discuss this with the police chiefs of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and senior officials of the home departments. Our aim is to further strengthen the efforts being made jointly against drug trafficking among the states.
The effect of Operation Toofan is visible
Thousands of cases were registered within a few days of the start of Operation Toofan. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala told the Assembly that so far 2,954 cases have been registered in the state under Operation Toofan. Of these, 3,176 people have been arrested. Several kilos of ganja and hundreds of grams of MDMA have also been seized.
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