Operation Toofan 2.0 Expands Kerala’s Anti-Drug Drive to Grama Sabhas

Kerala on Monday launched the second phase of its anti-narcotics campaign, Operation Toofan 2.0, expanding the initiative from primarily police-led enforcement to local bodies, grama sabhas and communities across the state.

Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala inaugurated the statewide launch at Malabar College in Vengara, Malappuram. He said the campaign would bring the public to the forefront through ‘Toofan Local’, with anti-drug grama sabhas planned in panchayats and wards. The Home Department will coordinate with the Local Self-Government Department on enforcement, awareness and rehabilitation.

Chennithala said drug use and peddling had declined by 20–30 per cent since Operation Toofan began, attributing the campaign's progress partly to public participation. He highlighted the role of mothers, women and other community members, who have emerged as ‘Toofan Warriors’ and helped authorities identify drug-related concerns.

Under the second phase, local institutions and community groups will participate in awareness and prevention activities. Ward-level Toofan Samitis and Janajagratha Samitis are being formed across Kerala, while household-level awareness programmes and anti-drug grama sabhas will also be organised.

The programme includes several components. Toofan Strike will intensify action against drug networks, while Toofan Care will focus on treatment, counselling and rehabilitation. Around 35 major hospitals are expected to support the rehabilitation programme under a protocol developed with the Indian Medical Association. Toofan App will provide round-the-clock access to expert counsellors.

Under Toofan Eyes, CCTV cameras will be installed at schools, beginning with Kozhikode, while Toofan Play will encourage children to participate in sports through cricket kits and footballs. The Drug-Free Campus Accreditation programme will certify schools as safe campuses under police supervision.

Local Self-Government Minister K M Shaji said rules requiring extensive laboratory facilities and hospital-like infrastructure for setting up panchayat-level de-addiction centres would be amended to make rehabilitation facilities easier to establish.

According to police, Operation Toofan has so far resulted in 11,677 cases and 12,584 arrests. Seizures include more than 24 kg of MDMA, 1,571.9 kg of cannabis, 5,721.372 grams of hashish oil and 615.647 grams of heroin.

Police have also conducted 10,295 awareness classes and 846 counselling sessions, while investigations have extended to Bihar, Coimbatore, Noida, Chennai, Delhi and Bengaluru.