Chennai, July 15 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Wednesday assured the Kerala government of full cooperation in its intensified campaign against narcotics, following a meeting with the neighbouring state’s Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala here.

The meeting focused on strengthening inter-state coordination to curb the trafficking and distribution of narcotic substances, particularly along the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border.

Addressing reporters after the discussions, Chennithala said the Chief Minister had agreed to work closely with Kerala in dismantling organised drug networks and preventing the movement of contraband across state borders.

According to the minister, Vijay accepted an invitation to visit Kerala and participate in the state’s anti-drug awareness campaign.

Chennithala said the Chief Minister’s involvement would help spread awareness among students and young people, who have increasingly become the target of organised drug syndicates.

He said Malayalam actor Mohanlal continues to serve as Kerala’s ambassador for the state’s anti-drug campaign and stressed that the fight against narcotics requires the participation of political leaders, educational institutions, law enforcement agencies and the public.

As part of the coordinated strategy, security along the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border will be strengthened to prevent the movement of drugs and dismantle interstate trafficking routes.

Chennithala also announced that a meeting of the Directors General of Police of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Puducherry was conducted a few days before to formulate a joint action plan against narcotics.

Kerala’s anti-drug campaign, titled ‘Operation Toofan’, has received overwhelming public support and has evolved into a people-driven movement. He noted that the initiative was launched with the objective of identifying and eliminating drug trafficking networks operating across the state.

Highlighting the progress made so far, Chennithala said enforcement agencies have seized narcotic substances valued at nearly Rs 70 crore during raids conducted under Operation Toofan. He added that the Kerala Police had already initiated discussions with their counterparts in neighbouring states to strengthen intelligence sharing, joint operations and coordinated enforcement measures.

Emphasising that the drug menace cannot be tackled by one state alone, he said sustained cooperation among southern states is essential to break interstate supply chains and protect young people from falling victim to drug abuse. He expressed confidence that the collaboration between Kerala and Tamil Nadu would significantly strengthen the region’s fight against narcotics.

–IANS

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