Kerala’s Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Monday urged the state’s Student Police Cadet (SPC) community to take a leading role in combating drug abuse through ‘Operation Thoofan’, a statewide anti-narcotics initiative spearheaded by Kerala Police. Speaking at the valedictory function of the SPC State residential camp in Thiruvananthapuram, Mr. Chennithala described substance abuse as one of the gravest threats facing Kerala today and called upon SPC cadets to become frontline ambassadors in protecting youth from addiction.
The Minister highlighted that ‘Operation Thoofan’ was launched with the specific aim of dismantling criminal networks involved in the sale and distribution of narcotics, particularly around educational institutions. “Under the current circumstances, SPC cadets must stand at the forefront of this mission,” he said, emphasizing that their involvement is critical in preventing young students from falling into the trap of drug abuse. He further underscored the evolving role of the SPC project, which has grown over the past 15 years into a symbol of pride for Kerala Police, achieving significant milestones in youth engagement, discipline, and social responsibility.
Mr. Chennithala also revealed that discussions are underway to replicate the SPC model across India, recognizing its success in instilling civic values and leadership among students. He praised the cadets for their contributions beyond law enforcement, including providing nutritious food, study materials, and books to children in tribal areas, and maintaining discipline during school arts festivals with the dedication of police personnel.
A highlight of the event was the announcement that the ‘Home Minister’s Trophy’ will be awarded annually from next year onwards to the best-performing SPC cadet. This new award is expected to further motivate cadets to excel in discipline, community service, and anti-drug awareness activities. A total of 939 cadets participated in the week-long residential camp, which concluded with a ceremonial parade where Mr. Chennithala received the salute and distributed awards to outstanding cadets.
Senior police officials including State Police Chief Ravada A. Chandrasekhar, Additional Directors General of Police (ADGPs) S. Sreejith, P. Vijayan, Dinesh Kashyap, G. Lakshman, Inspector General (IG), and SPC nodal officer S. Ajitha Begum were present at the function, underscoring the high-level support for the initiative.
The SPC programme in Kerala, operational for over 15 years, has established itself as a model for youth empowerment through police-school collaboration. It combines leadership training, civic education, and community service, with cadets often taking on roles as peer mentors and social contributors. The integration of ‘Operation Thoofan’ into the SPC framework marks a strategic expansion of Kerala Police’s prevention strategy, targeting the root causes of drug abuse among adolescents by leveraging the influence and reach of student leaders.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Chennithala reiterated the government’s commitment to making Kerala a drug-free state and expressed confidence that the SPC cadets would play a pivotal role in this mission. The event not only celebrated the achievements of the cadets but also signaled a renewed push for grassroots-level action against substance abuse, positioning students as key stakeholders in public safety and social transformation.
