Kerala Home Minister Warns Drug Networks, Says Migrant Workers Not Solely to Blame for Perumbavoor Menace

Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala stated on Friday that migrant workers alone cannot be held responsible for the drug menace in Perumbavoor, a town in Kerala's Ernakulam district. He emphasized that Keralites are also involved in drug peddling, often using the cover of migrant labourers.

Addressing a public meeting as part of the police's statewide anti-drug operation 'Operation Toofan: The Narco Hunt', Chennithala said, “In Perumbavoor, most of the drug users may be guest workers... but there are Keralites too. Some local people have found drug peddling to be an attractive business. The police are after them.”

The minister chose Perumbavoor to launch Toofan Jagaran, an awareness rally, noting that the United Democratic Front (UDF) government and the Home department are paying extra attention to the town's safety and growth. “Our aim is to free Perumbavoor, the plywood capital of the country, from being labelled as a drug hub,” he said.

Chennithala warned drug networks that they cannot assume the police operation will fade after initial hype. “They think the police will stop the drive after the initial hype and everything will be back to square one after a couple of months. I'm warning them that if they don't stop the illegal activities, they will be handcuffed,” he said.

He reported that since the launch of Operation Toofan one month ago, the police have registered 5,260 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and arrested 5,634 people. About 70 individuals have been sent for rehabilitation. A special task force will be set up to handle drug cases, and the state police chief will meet with counterparts in neighbouring states on July 10 to discuss cross-border smuggling.

Addressing concerns about easy bail for many arrested, Chennithala said Chalakudy MP Benny Behanan will raise loopholes in the NDPS Act in Parliament. After the public meeting, the minister visited Bhai Colony, a migrant workers' settlement, and interacted with residents. He presented 'Toofan Warrior' badges to representatives and administered an anti-drug pledge in Hindi.