Kerala to Expand Operation Toofan With Local Body Network
Kerala's Home department will launch phase two of Operation Toofan, partnering with local bodies and community groups to fight substance abuse.
The Kerala Home department is set to broaden its anti-narcotics campaign, Operation Toofan, by bringing local self-government institutions into the fold. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and Local Self-Governments Minister K.M. Shaji announced on Saturday that the police will collaborate with grama panchayats, municipalities, corporations, and community organisations for the next phase of the drive.
The initiative will see the formation of dedicated 'Toofan committees' in roughly 1,034 wards by September 25, each with at least ten members. These committees will include representatives from the Kudumbashree Mission, ASHA workers, Anganwadi staff, Haritha Karma Sena members, and local volunteers. Nodal 'Toofan warriors' will be selected at the local level and issued badges to lead the effort.
A key visual element of the campaign will be the hoisting of 'Toofan flags' at over 1,200 local bodies across the state simultaneously on September 28. By October 15, the government will issue circulars detailing the specific duties and responsibilities of these committees.
To further grassroots engagement, 'Toofan Grama Sabhas' are planned in 21,000 wards across all panchayats, municipalities, and corporations by October 30. Following this, ward-level action panels, known as Jana Jagratha committees, will be activated by November.
While the existing three-phase activities of Operation Toofan will continue, the ministers stated that the new approach aims to take awareness efforts directly to people's doorsteps. The initiative is also expected to strengthen the 'Janamaithri Police' (people-friendly police) concept, with a focus on educating communities about the dangers of substance abuse.