Over 19,000 arrested in 8,000 narcotics cases in Telangana: Minister Ponguleti

Khammam: The State government has accorded the highest priority to drug control and registered around 8,000 cases across Telangana, besides arresting over 19,000 suspects so far, Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy said.

A specialised Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE Force), comprising around 600 members and supervised by IPS officers, has been established to check the drug menace in the State, he noted.

He was speaking at a quiz competition organised for school students as part of an anti-drug awareness programme held under the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’ (Drug-Free India) initiative of the Excise Department here on Friday. He urged every citizen to become a partner in making the country free from drugs.

Srinivas Reddy stated that the government had adopted an iron-fisted approach to completely eradicate the drug menace from the State. Clear instructions had been given to police officials to deal strictly with cases involving ganja or other narcotics and punish the accused in accordance with the law.

The government’s goal was not merely to target drug users, but also to identify the sources of supply and eliminate them entirely. Drug control could not be achieved solely through the police and Excise departments; the roles of parents and teachers were equally crucial in this endeavour.

Parents should observe their children’s behaviour from a young age and steer them away from developing bad habits. Teachers should keep an eye on the conduct of their students, in addition to focusing on academics, the Minister noted.

Srinivas Reddy cautioned students against experimenting with intoxicating substances, whether out of a desire to follow trends or due to peer pressure, as doing so could destroy their bright futures. Students should remain fully focused on their studies to reach great heights, he added.

Additional Collector Dr P Sreeja, Additional Commissioner of Excise and Prohibition Kishan, Deputy Commissioner V Somi Reddy, District Excise Superintendent D Janaiah and others were present.