Over 30 lakh people join Kerala anti-drug campaign Operation Toofan
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said the state's signature programme focuses on prevention, rehabilitation and public participation.
More than 30 lakh people have joined the Kerala anti-drug campaign as Toofan Warriors, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said on Thursday, according to Hindustan Times. The minister made these remarks during an awareness gathering in Palakkad after leading a Toofan Jagaran rally.
Chennithala described Operation Toofan as the signature programme of the UDF government. He noted that superstar Mohanlal was the first individual to be named a Toofan Warrior. The minister stated that the campaign aims to go beyond enforcement by focusing on drug abuse prevention and assisting those affected in starting over.
Police data released on Wednesday showed that 15,515 people were arrested in 14,369 cases during the first five months of the operation. Of these, 1,173 individuals were remanded to judicial custody. Seizures included 1,960.139 kg of ganja, 28.659 kg of MDMA, and various amounts of heroin, cocaine, and hashish oil.
The minister also met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Wednesday. Chennithala said on X that Shah appreciated the progress of the operation and indicated support through the Nasha Mukt Bharat framework.
The government is expanding the initiative through Toofan Thaddesham 2.0 to improve vigilance and rehabilitation. A new project, Toofan Ice, will soon install surveillance cameras in government schools connected to police stations.