Kerala not against DJ parties, nightlife or caravans but won’t tolerate drugs: Minister Chennithala

Kochi, Jul 11 (PTI) Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Saturday said the state government was not against DJ parties, nightlife or caravans, but made it clear that drug consumption under the guise of such activities would not be tolerated. Describing the ongoing anti-drug campaign, Operation Toofan, as a “major success,” he said police would take strict action if narcotic substances were found being used at DJ parties, star hotels or inside caravans. “We are not against nightlife or DJ parties. But nightlife should be responsible. Drug consumption in the name of DJ parties will not be allowed. Similarly, we are not against caravans, but if drugs are consumed inside them, police action will follow,” Chennithala told reporters. He said drug abuse was being reported among both men and women and was prevalent on college campuses and in hostels, underscoring the need for sustained enforcement. The minister said no recommendation or favouritism would be entertained in drug-related cases and that strict action would be taken irrespective of the persons involved. Announcing measures to improve policing, Chennithala said a new mechanism would be introduced to address complaints against police personnel, and police stations would undergo periodic audits to assess how such grievances were resolved. He said the police force would be modernised and made more people-friendly. As part of the revamp, all police stations in the state would be cleaned and painted in a uniform colour scheme before Independence Day, he said. From August 15, sub-inspectors would head all police stations except 64, where circle inspectors would continue as station house officers, the minister added. Police sources said 6,394 cases had been registered and 6,873 persons arrested so far under Operation Toofan. Police said 4,389.535 grams of MDMA and 463.704 kg of ganja had been seized during the campaign. As part of the drive, Kerala police conducted 107 awareness classes across the state on Friday alone. The total number of awareness classes held under the campaign has reached 6,795, while 328 counselling sessions have also been organised. In addition, school and college protection groups have conducted 5,385 awareness programmes, police said. Police appealed to the public to share information on drug trafficking directly or through a dedicated WhatsApp number, assuring that the identity of informants would be kept confidential. PTI LGK SSK