Thiruvananthapuram

Keralam Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Monday said that the state government's anti-narcotics drive, 'Operation Toofan', will join hands with the Centre's similar initiative -- 'Nasha Mukt Bharat' -- as suggested by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Chennithala, speaking to reporters, said that there was no need to disagree with the initiative of the central government and the state will join forces with it.

He said that Shah appreciated the gains made by the state's anti-drug drive and suggested joining forces with the Centre's initiative.

The minister also said that large quantities of narcotics were being seized by the police in the state and the government's Operation Toofan has received widespread support from the public.

He said that the operation is moving towards its next phase of providing care and rehabilitation to those addicted to drugs.

"That is the most important thing for us. Around 35 hospitals have agreed to be part of the rehabilitation process. A meeting of their representatives will be convened in the state capital soon," he said.

All communities are being brought together in the fight against drugs, and this has been suggested by Shah also, Chennithala added.

The minister further said that as a result of the drive, crimes in the state have come down by 35 per cent.

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"That is not enough. We need to take it forward even more strongly. Operation Toofan is not coming to an end. It is a continuous process to protect our coming generations from the harmful effects of narcotics," he said.