After the Police Department successfully completed the 10-day long anti-drug drive in the district, the Panangad Police has said that it will continue with the drive taking into account the sensitive situation prevailing in the area.
As many as seven people, including ganja peddlers and users, were booked during the anti-drug drive undertaken last week. This is the highest number compared to the cases registered at other stations in the district.
Panangad sub-inspector Sreekumar told ‘City Express’ that he has already received instructions from Ernakulam City Police Commissioner K T James and Deputy Commissioner R Nishanthini to continue the drive in the area.
“We could nail several ganja peddlers from the area during the 10-day drive. We have understood the need to continue the drive. The initiative is a warning to ganja peddlers that the authorities will nail them. Now, we have intensified the patrolling,” he said.According to police officials, the new mission to book big fish through retail ganja sellers is on.
“We are taking efforts to develop a network with our counterparts in other districts, including Alapuuzha and Idduki, where kingpins of the ganja smuggling rackets are into hiding. Such moves from our part will reduce the flow of drugs from other districts,” he added.
Meanwhile, strong protests have erupted from the part of residents associations and Jankeeya Samithi members against the inaction of the police against ganja peddlers and ganja users in the area. According to the residents, the area has become a haven for ganja peddlers and the trend is spreading among youngsters.
‘City Express’ had first reported about the public protest against ganja lobbies and the gang war that has erupted in the area in this regard. About 12 people were severely injured in the clashes.The police started the anti-drug drive in the area after this incident from May 2.