KOZHIKODE: Excise commissioner Rishi Raj Singh on Thursday said the state was second in the country in drug abuse and that the teachers and parents should work against the menace. He was speaking at the state-level inauguration of Vimukthi programme by the excise department to root out the drug menace. “Last year, 1,20,000 cases were registered in the state, and 30,000 people were arrested under different sections. The usage of pan masala was scarce almost five years ago. Now that also has increased. As many as 600 pan products were seized and destroyed by the department. To prevent school children doing drugs, teachers and parents should work closely,” he said.
“Excise department could take stringent action against the drug pedlars, especially those selling drugs on the premises of the schools and colleges. More than 2,000 schools have anti-drug clubs.” The state-level programme was inaugurated by district panchayat president Babu Parassery at Thiruvangoor Higher Secondary School. Vimukthi Mission has envisioned Rs 100 crore plans in the panchayat, block panchayat and district levels. The programme was presided over by Chemanchery grama panchayat president Ashokan Kott.
Rishi Raj blocked; KSU men arrested
Six KSU activists were arrested for obstructing the movement of Excise Commissioner Rishi Raj Singh on Thursday, when he visited Thiruvangoor Higher Secondary School for the launch of Vimukthi programme. Two of the activists were injured, when they clashed with the police. KSU leaders said that it was the Commissioner, who in his report suggested the revision of the distance between the schools and religious institutions with that of the beverages outlets.
They alleged that the proximity of the outlets was reduced from 200m to 50m and he was instrumental in preparing a report. The arrested activists are: AK Janib, Nidhin Kappad, Dheeraj N, Ramshid Kappad, Adarsh Dinesan and Adiq K. Adiq and Janib were injured and all the activists were later released on bail.
