KOCHI: Advancing a scientific and holistic framework against substance abuse, Kerala Police personnel underwent specialized capacity-building training under ‘Operation Toofan’ at Amrita Hospital, Kochi. Organized in collaboration with government and medical institutions, the intensive program trained around 650 police officers across 473 police stations in Kerala. The training encompassed medical-legal protocols, forensic substance identification, mental health crisis intervention, addiction rehabilitation, and long-term surveillance strategies. The inaugural ceremony was attended by Kerala Home and Vigilance Minister Ramesh Chennithala, Mata Amritanandamayi Math Vice Chairman Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri, and State Police Chief Ravada A. Chandrasekhar IPS.
Addressing the gathering, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala highlighted that substance abuse represents one of the most critical socio-public health challenges facing Kerala, affirming that Operation Toofan Phase II reinforces the government’s unyielding stance against drug syndicates. He commended Amrita Hospital as the first private healthcare institution to partner with the state, alongside government hospitals, local self-governing bodies, Kudumbashree, and Haritha Karma Sena networks. Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri lauded the campaign as a selfless mission, urging law enforcement to act as a force against drug syndicates before they target youth.
The training program showcased digital and community interventions developed in partnership with Amrita, including ‘Toofan One’ software developed by Amrita Technologies for daily operational coordination, the ‘Kuttipetti’ school complaint mechanism, the ‘Police Bro’ outreach, the ‘Toofan-Thambi’ initiative targeting addiction recovery in tribal belts, and ‘Toofan Care’—a telemedicine, counseling, and integrated rehabilitation network. Top-performing police districts under Operation Toofan were also honored during the event. Prominent dignitaries in attendance included ADGP P. Vijayan IPS, Ernakulam MLA T.J. Vinod, Kochi City Police Commissioner S. Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar IPS, State Nodal Officer Putta Vimaladitya IPS, Amrita Hospitals Group Medical Director Dr. Prem Nair, and 24 News Managing Director R. Sreekandan Nair, alongside senior clinical faculty who led technical sessions.
