The Home department in Kerala is reaching out to religious leaders to take forward the police’s ongoing ‘Operation Toofan’ initiative to fight drug abuse.

Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Saturday (June 20, 2026) declared Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama State president Syed Mohammed Jifri Muthukoya Thangal as a ‘Toofan warrior’, a title given to prominent figures and active volunteers who are participating in the drive, at an event in Kozhikode. Mr. Thangal was also given a badge.

Addressing the media later, Mr. Chennithala said that the initiative was the United Democratic Front (UDF) government’s attempt to save the young generation from the clutches of drug addiction. An awareness event would be held in schools across the State on June 26 to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Trafficking. Ministers, MLAs, and MPs would attend it. Mr. Chennithala claimed that the anti-drug initiative was a big success as articles worth over ₹15 crore had been confiscated so far.

Sunni leader Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar too was declared as a ‘Toofan warrior’ at another event.

Mr. Chennithala later claimed that the aim was a “drug-free Kerala”. He thanked Mr. Musliar for agreeing to be part of the drive.

Mr. Chennithala is expected to meet Mar Remigiose Inchananiyil, Bishop of the Thamarassery Diocese, in the afternoon.