Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar delivers the inaugural policy of the V.D. Satheesan-led government at the Legislative Assembly, in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday.
| Photo Credit: ANI
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar unveiled an aggressive anti-drug and policing agenda in the policy address to the Legislative Assembly on Friday (May 29, 2026). He announced a sweeping modernisation of the Excise and Home departments, a State-wide anti-drug mission and a zero-tolerance crackdown on narcotic networks, cyber crime and organised crime.The address said Kerala could no longer tackle narcotic abuse, organised drug networks, alcohol addiction and revenue leakages through “outdated systems and conventional approaches”, and declared that the Excise department would be rebuilt as a modern, intelligence-driven and technology-enabled institution that is focused on public welfare, youth protection and transparent governance.The Excise department will undergo comprehensive modernisation with enhanced enforcement capacity, digital surveillance tools, strengthened intelligence networks, cyber-monitoring systems and specialised training aimed at disrupting narcotic and illicit substance supply chains and eliminating organised drug networks.The government’s anti-substance abuse strategy would rest on three pillars, viz., strict enforcement to dismantle supply chains, sustained awareness and behavioural change campaigns to reduce demand, and a rehabilitation-focused public health approach for those addicted to narcotic substances. The Excise department will closely coordinate with the Home and Health departments to implement the strategy across the State.Citing substance abuse and alcohol addiction as serious threats to health, family stability and productivity, the Governor announced that efforts would be made to reduce alcohol consumption in a phased manner.Anti-drug missionA State-wide anti-drug mission will be launched with the new academic year in June in coordination with the Home, Health and Education Departments with a special focus on protecting children and youth from substance abuse. The government also reiterated its “zero-tolerance approach towards narcotic mafias, peddlers, suppliers and organised criminal networks”.Regarding the Kerala Police’s new anti-drug enforcement initiative ‘Operation Toofan’, the Governor said the drive will focus on using statutory laws such as the NDPS Act and PIT-NDPS Act to freeze assets, dismantle inter-State supply chains and create an “impenetrable security shield” around society.Moreover, a dedicated State Narcotic Enforcement Bureau will be established for specialised enforcement, including cyber surveillance of online drug networks, while the Vimukthi Mission will be strengthened for community-based rehabilitation. Awareness campaigns will also be intensified in schools and colleges. Published - May 29, 2026 06:23 pm IST
