Bengaluru: East Division police have intensified inspections around educational institutions as part of the ‘BEDA BRO’ and ‘RISE’ campaigns aimed at preventing the sale and consumption of narcotic substances among students.
The campaigns focus on identifying drug-related activities and other suspicious or illegal activities in and around educational campuses. Bengaluru Police teams have stepped up checks at commercial establishments frequented by students and increased interaction with educational institutions to strengthen preventive measures.
575 shops and establishments inspected
As part of the intensified drive, police teams inspected 575 shops and commercial establishments located around educational institutions.
The establishments checked included medical stores, hotels, grocery shops, stationery outlets, mobile phone shops, ice cream parlours and Xerox centres. Such establishments were brought under scrutiny as part of efforts to identify places that could potentially facilitate activities linked to drug abuse or other violations.
During the operation, police registered 232 petty cases and 282 cases under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA).
The enforcement action was aimed not only at narcotics-related offences but also at violations that could affect the safety and wellbeing of students in areas surrounding educational institutions.
Four drug cases registered
Police also registered four cases related to drugs during the inspections.
In addition, 305 suspicious persons were questioned by the police teams, while 27 suspicious vehicles were seized as part of the operation.
The checks were conducted with a focus on identifying individuals and activities that could pose a risk to students. Police have said that greater attention would be given to people attempting to lure or induce students into drug abuse.
The measures are part of a broader preventive approach under which police are seeking to identify potential risks before they develop into larger problems around educational campuses.
Police hold 125 meetings with institutions
Apart from inspections, East Division police have also been engaging directly with educational institutions.
Police conducted 125 meetings with heads and management representatives of educational institutions. During these meetings, officials discussed student safety, drug abuse, suspicious activities and other forms of illegal activity in and around campuses.
The meetings were intended to sensitise educational institutions about emerging risks and encourage cooperation between campus authorities and law enforcement agencies.
Police have emphasised the importance of institutions remaining alert to unusual activities and promptly bringing concerns to the attention of the authorities.
Focus on students’ safety
Drug abuse among young people remains a major concern for law enforcement agencies, particularly around areas where large numbers of students gather.
Police said special attention would be given to individuals who attempt to influence, lure or induce students into consuming narcotic substances.
The authorities are also monitoring commercial establishments around educational institutions as part of the preventive strategy. By conducting regular inspections and maintaining contact with educational managements, police hope to make areas surrounding campuses less vulnerable to drug-related activities.
The enforcement drive also seeks to discourage businesses and individuals from facilitating activities that could expose students to prohibited substances or other unlawful practices.
Public urged to report suspicious activity
Police have appealed to members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities noticed around educational institutions.
The authorities have stressed that information from students, parents, educational staff, shopkeepers and residents can help police identify potential drug networks and other illegal activities at an early stage.
The East Division police’s intensified campaign combines inspections, legal action, questioning of suspicious individuals and awareness programmes with educational institutions.
With 575 commercial establishments inspected, hundreds of cases registered under different laws and 125 meetings held with educational managements, the police have signalled a stronger enforcement and awareness effort around campuses.
The continued success of such campaigns, however, will depend on sustained monitoring and cooperation between police, educational institutions, parents, students, businesses and the wider public.