Alappuzha (Keralam), Oct 30 (PTI) Keralam Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Friday warned that police personnel found working against the government's anti-drug campaign, Operation Toofan, would face dismissal from service.
Describing Operation Toofan as one of the state government's most important initiatives, he said 99 per cent of police personnel were working sincerely as part of the campaign, which had received massive public support.
Speaking to reporters after inaugurating Toofan 2.0 Thaddesham at Haripad here, Chennithala said the drive was conceived to prevent children from ruining their lives and suffering brain damage due to drug abuse.
The programme was jointly organised by the state Home and Local Self-Government departments and Haripad Municipality.
The Toofan campaign aimed to protect Keralam and its younger generation from the menace of drugs and would continue with full force until the drug network was uprooted, he said.
The Local Self-Government Department was also working in coordination with the police to ensure the effective implementation of the campaign, he added.
Referring to a recent incident in Kochi involving alleged irregularities by some police personnel in handling evidence, Chennithala said no officer involved in malpractice would be spared.
"If anyone in the police force has tampered with evidence or misappropriated seized property, they will not remain in service. Action will be stringent," he said.
On the action taken against police officials in connection with the fatal Mercedes-Benz crash at Cheranalloor, in which a motorist was killed after being hit by a luxury car allegedly driven by a minor boy, the minister said the action was taken after obtaining a report from the ADGP.
Referring to the transfer of senior IPS officer S Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar from the post of Kochi City Police Commissioner following the incident, Chennithala said a transfer should not be construed as punishment, describing it as a routine administrative process.
"Nowhere has it been stated that a transfer is part of disciplinary action," he said.
