THIRUVANANTHARURAM: During a midnight encounter in Vandoor village in Malappuram district last month, a dangerous drug dealer George Kutty fired four rounds and injured an excise inspector. In return, the officer fired one round, but it misfired.
The incident brought into sharp focus the need for training excise officials in handling arms during encounters with the dreaded drug mafia which is well-trained and armed with lethal weapons.
An intensive two-day training programme has been planned for 350 officers and men in arms at the State Excise Academy and Research Centre in Thrissur on September 18. Firearms have been given to 138 range officers and about one third of field CIs.
The excise officials were given training three years ago and they will have a refresher course. All officers, including 50 excise CIs and even the staff who do not have firearms, will be trained. On the first day they will be given classes on arms familiarisation, loading and assembly. The second day will be dedicated to firing.
Though most excise officers have been given pistols and revolvers, these are often kept in safe custody in the office. With drug mafias outside the state intensifying their operations in Kerala, the officers say the possibility of armed encounters cannot be ruled out.
Sources said over 19,000 drug cases were registered in the state during the past three years. Drugs worth over Rs 700 crore were seized and over 54,000 abkari cases booked during this period.
The excise department is facing a major problem in intercepting consignments of drug and illicit liquor effectively.
The department’s plan to install X- ray machines and scanners in check posts has run into rough weather due to lack of space.
“We are facing a major problem on the highways. We don’t have sufficient space for installing X-ray machines and scanners at Wayalar and other major check posts in the state. Though we are doing it manually, with technology the checking can be carried out more effectively,” a senior excise officer said.
