The Excise force in the State will be given shooting training, as it has to combat with alcohol/drug mafia, which is armed with lethal weapons, Excise Minister T.P. Ramakrishanan has said.
He was speaking at the passing-out parade of the 21st batch of Civil Excise officers, who completed training at the State Excise Academy and Research Centre in Thrissur on Tuesday.
“The State government is determined to check the drug mafia, which is trying to spread its net across the State. We have opened new Excise offices and more than 300 posts have been created. Janamaithri Circle Offices have been established at Devikulam in Idukki district and Nilambur at Malappuram district for creating awareness and enforcement in adivasi sector. Additional 25 posts have been created for youngsters from Scheduled Tribes for empowering the community as well as to strengthen the enforcement in the forest areas,” the Minister said.
An all-woman patrolling squad had been formed by recruiting more women to the force. The digital system, which was already functional in Palakkad and Ernakulam districts, would be spread to Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Alappuzha districts. Check posts would also be strengthened, he added.
Three special squads were functioning in the State to strengthen combing operations against illegal alcohol and drugs. In addition to them, another special squad led by Excise Commissioner had also been formed.
The drug mafia penetrated its root deep in the State, focusing the schoolstudents and youth, the Minister said. “Though we are seizing drugs on a large scale, many youngesters are still falling in the trap of drug peddlers. Strong action will be taken against people, who distribute drugs in and around educational institutions. Along with Excise department, teachers, parents and PTA should be vigilant against these networks.”
In all 19,000 drug cases were registered in the State in the last three years, during which drugs worth ₹700 crore were seized and 53,000 Abkari cases were registered. In all 2.15 lakh cases had been taken for illegal sale and use of tobacco products. The Excise department would be conducting an anti-drug abuse awareness programme ‘Vimukthi’ along with enforcement. The Minister said the Excise academy would be developed as a training centre of national standards.
Minister received salute at the passing out parade of the 51 Civil Excise officers, who completed training. He presented awards for those excelled in the training programme.
Thrissur Corporation Mayor Ajitha Vijyan, Excise commissioner S. Ananthakrishnan, Additional Excise Commissioner (Enforcement) Sam Christi Daniel and others participated.
