21 tonnes of gutkha incinerated marking ‘drug-free TN’ campaign in Krishangiri
Tamil Nadu has launched a 'Drug-Free' campaign, marked by the public incineration of 21 tonnes of seized gutkha in Krishnagiri. The initiative includes increased surveillance at state borders, strict penalties for tobacco sales near schools, and a new mobile app for public reporting.
Why it matters
This represents a significant public health and law enforcement effort to curb the circulation of illegal tobacco products and improve community safety in Tamil Nadu.
As many as 21 tonnes of gutkha were incinerated, led by Krishnagiri Collector C. Dinesh Kumar, marking the start of the drug-Free Tamil Nadu campaign launched by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Tuesday (August 11, 2026).
The campaign, launched with the administration of a drug-free Tamil Nadu pledge to the public and officials, witnessed the Collector along with the Superintendent of Police G.S. Anitha supervising the destruction of several tonnes of seized gutkha at the Krishnagiri Municipality-owned incinerator.
The Collector said that the district, being the transit zone of the inter-state borders between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, as well as Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, is under sustained surveillance.
Vehicle checks are being carried out at 15 checkposts, which includes nine permanent and six temporary checkposts. The surveillance is being carried out jointly by the police, local body administrations including the Hosur Corporation, Krishnagiri Municipality, town and village panchayats.
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