Latest news with #EliteAnti-NarcoticsGroupforLawEnforcement
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Will root out narcotics with an iron hand, asserts Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has vowed to take stringent action against drug peddlers, consumers, and all those involved in the illegal drug trade, asserting that the government is committed to eliminating the menace of narcotics. Speaking at the walkathon organised by the Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement (EAGLE) in Guntur on Thursday to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Mr. Naidu said drug addiction 'is not just a law and order problem but a societal threat' that needed to be rooted out. Addressing a large gathering of students, parents, and the general public, Mr. Naidu urged people to say 'no' to drugs. 'We are committed to ensuring 100% law and order. Drones and CCTV surveillance are being used effectively to prevent crime,' he said. WhatsApp number On the occasion, he launched a dedicated WhatsApp number '897781972' and a toll-free helpline '1972' brought by EAGLE. Criticising the previous YSRCP government, Mr. Naidu said during its tenure, the State had witnessed a surge in ganja cultivation, especially in the Visakhapatnam Agency, which was turned into a hub for drug production. He accused former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy of failing to act against drug culture. 'Mr. Jagan had visited a ganja batch in Tenali. Politicians should be role models,' Mr. Naidu said. Expressing concern over the psychological impact of drug use, he said addicts often exhibited criminal behaviour, including sexual assaults. He announced the establishment of world-class de-addiction centres in all the three regions of the State, and assured that in a year, the drug menace would be significantly curtailed. Drawing parallels between the State's current development agenda and the IT boom in Hyderabad during his previous tenure, he said, 'Back then, we spoke about IT in Hyderabad. Now, we are envisioning a Quantum Valley in Amaravati. But our efforts will go in vain if our youth fall a prey to drug addiction,' he cautioned. He reiterated the government's commitment to the Super Six promises, and criticized the previous regime for burdening the State with ₹10 lakh crore debt. Inspector General of Police and EAGLE head Ake Ravi Krishna said 15 accused involved in drug trafficking and abuse had been arrested and jailed in recent operations. ' Strict action will continue against those involved in drug-related offences,' he warned. Prathipadu MLA Burla Ramanjaneyulu accused the YSRCP regime of turning the State into the 'ganja capital', and praised Mr. Naidu for adopting zero tolerance towards drugs. Union Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar and several Ministers from the State participated.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- The Hindu
EAGLE registers 1,901 cases against drugs peddlers, seizes 57 tonnes of ganja
The Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement (EAGLE) seized about 57,000 kg ganja and 53 litres of hasish oil in 1,901 cases in the State. The police arrested 5,236 drug offenders, seized 803 vehicles used for smuggling ganja and other drugs, and opened 4,700 history sheets against drug peddlers in the State over the past few months. 'EAGLE brought down area under ganja cultivation from 11,000 acres to 100 acres. Over 16,000 awareness programmes were organised to explain the ill-effects and the consequences of drug addiction,' said EAGLE head and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ake Ravi Krishna. 'We are focussing on migrant workers engaged in various factories and manufacturing units and on educational institutions with the theme 'Say No to Drugs and Focus on Skills',' the IGP said. 45,000 EAGLE clubs The A.P. government has issued a circular to establish about 45,000 'EAGLE clubs' in education institutions, including private schools, universities and professional, engineering and medical colleges. 'EAGLE formed 7,600 clubs in schools, colleges and universities so far. Efforts are on to open EAGLE clubs in the remaining universities and conduct awareness drives against the use of marijuana, MDMA and other drugs,' the IGP told The Hindu on Wednesday. 858 hotspots The police have identified 858 hotspots where drug smuggling, selling and consuming were being done in the State. Instructions have been given to step up vigil, patrolling and disrupt the supply chain to check drug peddling. 'Our officers observed that ganja and drug peddlers were using abandoned and isolated places for drug trafficking and use. We are monitoring the movements of the habitual drug offenders,' Mr. Ravi Krishna said. EAGLE has launched the 'Helpline 1972' for the public to report drug smuggling, use and sale. The helpline should be displayed on the notice boards in all schools and colleges. 'To curb inter-State drug trafficking, 20 check-points have been set up in Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR), Parvatipuram Manyam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts, with CCTVs and drones,' Mr. Ravi Krishna explained.
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- New Indian Express
Andhra Pradesh intensified crackdown on drugs: EAGLE head
VIJAYAWADA: IG-rank officer and head of the Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement (EAGLE), Ake Ravi Krishna, reaffirmed the State's zero-tolerance policy towards narcotics and warned of stringent action against drug peddlers and smugglers. Speaking at an awareness session organised by Siddhartha Medical College under the Nasha Mukth Bharat Abhiyan, Ravi Krishna revealed that over the past six months, 740 NDPS cases were filed, more than 1,800 arrests made, and 19 tonnes of ganja seized. He also said assets of seven individuals were seized and eight were booked under the PIT-NDPS Act. He noted that ganja cultivation has drastically reduced from 11,000 to 100 acres due to enforcement and awareness efforts. Tools like drones, satellite imagery, and cordon-and-search operations have helped track and eliminate illegal cultivation. Initiatives such as 'Say No to Drugs, Say Yes to Skills,' 'Drugs Vaddu Bro,' and EAGLE Clubs in schools and colleges have seen positive impact. A 24/7 helpline, CAAL EAGLE 1972, has been launched for public alerts and quick response.
The Hindu
12-06-2025
- The Hindu
Drug awareness meet held at Srisailam
The Nandyal police, led by Superintendent of Police (SP) Adhiraj Singh Rana and Deputy SP Ramamji Naik, organised a drug awareness programme at Srisailam on Wednesday. Youth, residents, and workers from the transport segment participated in the event in large numbers. Srisailam temple executive officer M. Srinivasa Rao was the chief guest. Meanwhile, the police officials appealed to the public to report instances of drug abuse via the toll-free number 1972 and underscored the need for strict enforcement under the NDPS Act. The officials also highlighted the vital role played by the State's Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement (EAGLE).
Hans India
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Axing posts of negligent officials indicates a serious warning
Visakhapatnam: The decision taken by the state government on Simhachalam wall collapse incident indicates a stern warning against negligent officials irrespective of the positions they hold. A week after the incident that took place at Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple during the 'Chandanotsavam' festival on April 30, the state government suspended seven officials following a preliminary investigation report submitted by a three-member committee constituted to find out facts. The committee, led by Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration and Urban Development Suresh Kumar, Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement (EAGLE) director Ake Ravi Krishna and engineer-in-chief, irrigation department Venkateswara Rao, spoke to the contractors, engineers and officials concerned before submitting the report. The fatal accident that occurred for the first time at Simhachalam where scores of devotees congregated to witness 'nijarupa' darshan of Lord Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy claimed seven lives and injured a few others. Earlier, when such major incidents took place, the action used to be against either mid-level or low-level cadre. But this time, the NDA government took serious action against the Executive Officer of Simhachalam Devasthanam and other officials from endowments and tourism departments. Executive Officer of Simhachalam Devasthanam K Subba Rao, temple executive engineer DG Srinivasa Raju, junior engineer K Babji and APTDC executive engineer K Ramana and assistant engineer P Madan Mohan along with temple deputy executive engineers KSN Murthy and ABVLR Swamy were suspended over the incident. Meanwhile, contractor Lakshmana Rao, who executed the wall construction, was blacklisted and criminal proceedings were initiated along with other two officials. When enquired, the contractor told the committee members that he was in a rush to build the wall before the festival. So far, the three-member committee submitted only a preliminary report to the state government. However, with the committee set to submit a detailed report in a month's time, there is a scope for axing a few more officials' posts. Following the wall collapse mishap, the attention is not just on probing its cause in various angles but also focusing on the works related to endowments plus tourism departments that are in progress at the temple. In the meantime, Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation corporator Peethala Murthy Yadav forwarded a letter to Central and state Chief Vigilance Commissioners, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and AP Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh stating that there is an apparent misuse of funds related to the project works taken up as part of the PRASAD scheme. He further mentioned in the letter that the quality of works carried out by the engineers call for a detailed scrutiny as well. In line with the PRASAD scheme, a number of works have been taken up at Simhachalam Devasthanam to the tune of Rs.54 crore. For months, these works are being carried out and are in different stages of completion. As part of it, a queue complex at Utharagoparam, a four-floored commercial-cum-kalyana mandapam complex uphill, among others, were proposed by the Devasthanam officials. Apparently, after the wall collapse incident, what needs a larger attention is not just accelerating the pending works that are in progress but also the quality of works carried out.
