Auto-rickshaw drivers inducted as ‘Toofan Warriors’ in Kerala anti-drug campaign

Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Wednesday formally inducted auto-rickshaw drivers in Thiruvananthapuram as ‘Toofan Warriors’ as part of expanding the community-based network of Operation Toofan , the State’s anti-drug enforcement initiative.

Addressing the gathering, the Minister termed the ongoing fight against narcotics as “a war that the society must win through collective action.” He urged the public to recognise the devastating impact of drugs, saying no parent would want their own children to fall prey to addiction and that the same concern should extend to every child in society.

Calling on auto-rickshaw drivers to become active partners in the campaign, Mr. Chennithala said they could play a crucial role in helping the police identify and curb drug trafficking. He stressed that the police should be viewed as “friends rather than adversaries”, as both police personnel and auto drivers “wear the khaki uniform as symbols of public service.”