Kerala Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan Defends Drug Record, Cites 538% Rise in Cases
Pinarayi Vijayan rebuts drug-control criticism, citing 1,26,855 NDPS cases and a 538% surge in registrations since 2021.
Thiruvananthapuram: Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan has pushed back against Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala's allegations that the previous LDF government failed to curb the spread of drugs in Kerala. Vijayan, a former Chief Minister, presented data to underscore the state's enforcement efforts.
According to Vijayan, between 2021 and 2025, Kerala Police registered 1,26,855 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. He attributed the sharp increase in case registration—a 538% jump—to strict monitoring and targeted interventions such as 'Operation D-Hunt'.
Vijayan's rebuttal comes amid a political spat over the state's handling of drug-related crimes. The figures, he argued, reflect proactive policing rather than a failure of governance. The Home Minister had earlier accused the LDF government of laxity in tackling the drug menace.
The exchange highlights the ongoing political friction over law-and-order issues in the state, with both sides using statistics to bolster their positions.