Highlighting that the rapid spread of narcotics has devolved into the single largest challenge confronting contemporary Kerala, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan officially launched ‘Operation Toofan: The Narco Hunt,’ the Kerala Police’s anti-drug enforcement drive, in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday.
Addressing a large gathering at the Government Higher Secondary School for Girls, Cotton Hill, the Chief Minister cautioned that the State’s hard-earned social progress and its youth are under direct threat from an organised drug mafia.
He pointed out that Kerala, a State historically celebrated for its high literacy, health standards and progressive social indices, presently grapples with a severe drug epidemic.
Reflecting on the changing demographic dynamics over the decades, the Chief Minister stressed how the policy conversation has shifted from population control to leveraging the State’s human capital. He recalled that during his own school days, the curriculum focussed heavily on family planning and population control to avert resource crises.
“Today, however, the global economic focus centres on the demographic dividend, representing the immense creative and constructive potential of a population where 60 to 65% are young people. While this youth demographic is supposed to be the foundational milestone of the State’s future, narcotics have emerged as the primary weapon used to paralyse and destroy that potential,” he lamented.
Drawing a direct line between synthetic drug abuse and the increasingly brutal nature of violent crime across the State, Mr. Satheesan said criminal activities have turned cruel because perpetrators commit them under the heavy influence of narcotics.
He pointed out the Operation Toofan is not merely an isolated action by the Home department, but a joint mission that also involves the Excise, General Education and Higher Education departments, local bodies, parents teachers and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Its execution strategy will rely on two crucial pillars – enforcement by the Police and Excise departments that would involve uncompromising enforcement operations to eliminate the drug mafia network and supply chains, and awareness programmes by teachers, parents, NGOs and various agencies.
Delivering the presidential address, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said Inspector General (Intelligence) Putta Vimaladitya has been appointed as the State nodal officer for Operation Toofan. Under his leadership, specialised wings of the police force, including the Narcotic Cell and the Crime Branch, will be activated from the State level down to the district and local levels for the mission.
He warned of strict disciplinary action against any police personnel found creating hindrances or lapses within the campaign. He also explicitly cautioned the high-end entertainment and commercial sectors, calling for an end to the use of narcotics substances at five-star hotels and DJ parties
Special instructions have also been issued to the cyber cell to track down those running trades under the cover of the dark web.
He added that Kerala Police have launched mobile applications to facilitate information sharing. He pledged that the names or details of people providing information would never be revealed under any circumstances.
General Education Minister N. Samsudheen, Transport Minister C.P. John, Excise Minister M. Liju, Shashi Tharoor, MP, and State Police Chief Ravada A. Chandrasekhar also participated in the function.
Published - June 02, 2026 08:20 pm IST
Source: The Hindu - India News
