T’puram: Operation Toofan, the anti-narcotic drive of the state govt, got a fillip as actor Mohanlal joined hands with Kerala police as its ‘Toofan Warrior’.The actor met home minister Ramesh Chennithala on Thursday, expressing full support to ‘Operation Toofan the Narco Hunt’, a special mission led by police with the aim of making the state drug-free. Chennithala said the public support and cooperation received for Operation Toofan has been encouraging.“Support from a widely admired figure like Mohanlal would give the mission fresh momentum. A personality with such strong influence standing with the campaign would help spread greater awareness in society against drug abuse. Operation Toofan is not a temporary drive and would continue with greater strength and reach until the drug mafia is uprooted,” Chennithala said.He said awareness campaigns and monitoring systems would be intensified in schools, colleges, hostels and residential areas across the state, and that ‘Toofan Warriors’ would be formed in all sectors with public participation. The minister also said that steps are under way to establish coordinated mechanisms with south Indian states and ensure the cooperation of national agencies to curb drug trafficking. He said a strong defensive network would be built in coordination with the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and airport and port authorities.Mohanlal said the mission has already helped protect many families, young people and students from falling into the grip of substance abuse. He handed over to Chennithala the framework of ‘Say No to Drugs’, an anti-drug initiative designed by the ViswaSanthi Foundation, which works in memory of his parents.Chennithala presented Mohanlal with an “I am a Toofan Warrior” badge.
