Drug menace: Police, excise conduct joint inspection in Perumbavoor

Kochi: Following heightened tensions in Perumbavoor due to the drug menace, Ernakulam rural police and excise conducted a joint inspection among migrant workers on Sunday. Nine cases related to drugs were registered during the inspection.According to rural police, three women were taken into custody from lodges for staying without proper documentation. The inspections were carried out in residences, lodges, markets and buses by more than 100 police officers and excise personnel, divided into special teams. The dog squad and bomb squad were also part of the inspections. The inspections were conducted under the supervision of district police chief K S Sudarshan and led by Perumbavoor ASP Hardik Meena. "To identify and address issues related to migrant workers residing in Perumbavoor town and surrounding areas, a vigilance committee was decided to be formed under the chairmanship of district police chief. The committee's convener is Perumbavoor sub-divisional police officer, and joint convener is Perumbavoor police station inspector," said an officer. Presidents, vice-presidents, municipal chairpersons, members from Vengola, Vazhakulam panchayats and Perumbavoor municipality, along with representatives from political, religious, social and cultural organisations and migrant worker representatives will be part of the committee. The committee will comprehensively investigate and take action against issues like drug abuse and other illicit activities among workers. "It will collect information about the workers and their families and study other problems they face. Strong awareness programmes will be conducted. Efforts will be made to ensure the children of workers have access to good educational facilities. Medical camps and health awareness programmes will be organised," said an officer, adding that strict action would be taken against lodges involved in illegal activities. The committee would meet in the first week of every month at the Perumbavoor sub-divisional police office. Based on the information and suggestions from these monthly meetings, police operations would be expanded, said police sources. The intervention occurred in the aftermath of incidents of vigilantism by residents against the drug menace, which led to migrant workers being attacked. Police intervention is aimed at curbing the drug menace and preventing further escalation of the conflict between residents and migrant labourers.