Locals to step up surveillance following drug overdose deaths

Determined to “ght drug trašcking and the covert operation of drug pushers, the local residents from Onchiyam in Kozhikode district have formed a new people’s action committee with the support of local politicians, youth organisation members, police and Excise department ošcers. The trigger behind the formation of the committee is the recent death of two youths due to synthetic drug overdose.

The committee was formed after a public meeting convened by the local body members in the village, which expressed concerns over the increasing presence of drug pushers in the area. The committee members urged parents and school authorities to con“dentially gather details of drug addicts and those who frequently get in touch with them.

An action committee member said all the local residents and youth club members were urged to take up the issue seriously and instantly report the details of suspicious individuals to the police or action committee functionaries. Apart from strengthening Janamaithri policing activities, night patrol too would be strengthened

On April 12, two youngsters were found dead at Onchiyam due to synthetic drug overdose

considering the action committee’s demand, he added.

It was on April 12 that two youths, Kaliyath Randeep, 30, and Akshay Babu, 26, were found dead at Onchiyam and one of their friends was hospitalised. The Onchiyam incident took place when the police were busy with probing another similar case that claimed the life of Amal Surya, a 25-year-old youth from Koyilandy on March 20.

Police sources said the Anti-Narcotics Cell and the District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force were proceeding with their investigation to track a gang of drug pushers, who were reportedly in touch with the victims.

According to police sources, there were about “ve suspected syntheticdrug induced deaths in Eramala and Onchiyam panchayats recently. The suspects could be exposed only with better cooperation on the part of the victims’ families and friends, who are remaining tightlipped now, they said.

K. RAGESH Exercising her franchise: Parukutty, a centenarian , casts her vote using the home voting option at her house near Beypore in Kozhikode district on Thursday.