Chennai , 15 July (H.S.):

Tamil Nadu has agreed to work closely with Kerala in its intensified campaign against drug trafficking under Operation Thoofan, with Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay assuring full cooperation to strengthen inter-state enforcement and public awareness initiatives.

The assurance came during a meeting between Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and Chief Minister Vijay in Chennai on Wednesday. The discussion, which lasted around 30 minutes, focused on expanding coordination between the two States to curb the movement of narcotics and dismantle drug trafficking networks operating across the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Chennithala said Vijay had extended his government's complete support for Operation Thoofan. As part of the joint strategy, police forces from both States will enhance intelligence sharing and intensify surveillance and vehicle inspections along the inter-state border to prevent the smuggling of narcotics.

He said the two police departments would work in close coordination to identify and crack down on organised drug syndicates that operate across State boundaries. The strengthened partnership is expected to improve information exchange and facilitate coordinated enforcement operations against the drug mafia.

Chennithala also briefed Vijay about Kerala's large-scale anti-drug awareness campaign and informed him that actor Mohanlal has been appointed as the ambassador for Operation Thoofan. During the interaction, he recalled that Mohanlal and Vijay had previously shared screen space in the Tamil film Jilla, highlighting the significance of both personalities joining hands for the awareness initiative.

Chief Minister Vijay agreed to participate in a major anti-drug awareness programme being planned in Kochi as part of the campaign. The event is expected to bring together senior government officials, law enforcement agencies and public figures to reinforce the message against drug abuse among the youth.

Chennithala said Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan is also expected to participate in the programme, which is being organised by the Kerala Home Department as a key public outreach event under Operation Thoofan.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman