Chief Secretary Calls for United Action to Eradicate Drugs in Andhra Pradesh

Quick Summary:

• Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary K.Vijayanand emphasized coordinated efforts by State and Central agencies to make Andhra pradesh a drug- and ganja-free State.
• At teh second quarterly Narco Coordination Center (NCORD) meeting, he highlighted work by the Elite Anti-Narcotics group for Law Enforcement (EAGLE) to curb ganja cultivation in tribal areas of North Andhra Pradesh.
• EAGLE officers are promoting option crops like coffee and silver oak among tribal communities, providing training and support.
• Director General of Police Harish Kumar Gupta stressed strengthening inter-State checkposts to combat drug smuggling during his virtual participation.
• Inspector General of Police Ake Ravi Krishna detailed several operations including Operation Garuda, Operation Safe Campus Zone, Garuda 2.0, and Operation Chaitanya aimed at reducing drug misuse, smuggling routes via trains, and eradicating ganja cultivation in the Alluri Sitharama Raju district.
• Senior officials from departments including Medical & Health, Home Ministry as well as enforcement bodies like DRI (directorate of Revenue Intelligence), NCB (Narcotics control bureau), and IB (Intelligence Bureau) participated virtually.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The measures discussed in the NCORD meeting signal a comprehensive approach towards combating narcotics-related issues in Andhra Pradesh. The government’s attention on replacing ganja cultivation with cash crops such as coffee is highly likely aimed at addressing both economic sustainability for tribal communities and environmental concerns associated with illegal plantations.

Operations such as Garuda and Chaitanya reflect targeted strategies spanning different sectors-from law enforcement at transport hubs to reducing unprescribed drug sales. Strengthening inter-state check posts could enhance surveillance but necessitates collaboration between neighboring states.

While curbing narcotics requires multi-agency coordination-as demonstrated by agencies like DRI or NCB joining this effort-the success will depend substantially on consistency in implementation across tribal regions prone to illicit activities. If effectively deployed, these steps may set benchmarks for similar initiatives nationwide.

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