Thiruvananthapuram, 23 May (H.S): Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Saturday announced a major overhaul of policing across the state, unveiling plans to transform all police stations into more citizen-friendly public service centres while simultaneously launching a stronger campaign against the growing drug menace.

Addressing the media after a meeting with senior police officials, the Home Minister said all 484 police stations across Kerala would undergo significant changes aimed at improving public interaction and enhancing the image of the police force.

As part of the initiative, police personnel will be instructed to receive visitors with courtesy and respect. Anyone entering a police station would be greeted with a “Good Morning” or “Namaskaram,” and arrangements would be made to ensure that people are seated comfortably and their complaints are heard with empathy and patience.

“The police station should not be a place where people feel intimidated. Citizens visiting stations should not be viewed as offenders. Police officers have the responsibility to listen carefully to people's grievances and address them with sensitivity,” Chennithala said.

He added that police stations would also be kept clean and well-maintained. Vehicles and materials lying unused for years inside station premises would be removed through legal procedures under the Police Act. The reforms, he said, are intended to give police stations a completely new identity and improve the overall working culture within the force.

The Minister also expressed concern over the increasing use of narcotic substances in the state, particularly among young people and school students. With schools scheduled to reopen on June 1, he warned that drug networks were increasingly targeting children.

To tackle the issue, Kerala Police will launch a new statewide anti-drug campaign named “Operation Toofan Narco Hunt.” Chennithala said the mission would focus on identifying and dismantling the roots of drug trafficking networks. Those involved in drug consumption, distribution and promotion would be closely monitored and dealt with strictly.

He further warned that those challenging the law would face firm action, especially offenders involved in crimes against women and children. The government also plans to strengthen Janamaithri policing, expand the Student Police initiative, modernise police training, introduce measures to reduce road accidents and create stronger infrastructure to tackle cybercrime across the state.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman