The disaster that stares into the eyes of Kerala

The brutal murder of a couple in their 60s in Vadakekad, Thrissur district in Kerala, shocked everybody. It didn’t take long for the police and the couple’s children to find out that the 27-year-old grandson killed them and fled the scene. The drug addicted murderer was caught within hours. The accused, who was getting care from a de-addiction facility, used to fight with his grandparents for money to buy expensive drugs. Not only did the treatment prove ineffective, rather he seemingly turned out to be an extremely dangerous criminal. More than dealing a passing shock, it has become another of similar normal incidents for Keralites. Protecting school-age children from the spread of drugs has become a perplexing task for parents, teachers, government, police and other officials.The situation has worsened to the extent where drug mafia, breaching all precautionary measures, run amok selling drugs in schools and colleges. Recently, there have been many incidents of girls being gang-raped under the influence of drugs. Those who get caught later escape from police custody and continue drug business. Only recently, the government intensified its campaign, deploying the Excise department, in schools, in cities and in villages—but what of it? A large number of drug dealers and distributors continue their atrocities challenging the government and the people.

On July 18, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan held a meeting of ministers including V. Sivankutty and R. Bindu, M.B. Rajesh along with Chief Secretary Dr. Venu, DGP Sheikh Darvesh Sahib and others to discuss the measures to prevent drug use among students. The Chief Minister suggested school authorities to alert the police or Excise if they notice drug use among children. Of the 325 drug cases that were brought to the attention of school authorities, only 183 cases came to the enforcement officials, he revealed. He also pointed out to start vigilance committees in all schools. The Chief Minister also directed officials to put up anti-drug posters in all government, semi-government, public sector and cooperative institutions. He suggested various other countermeasures as well. Even as lauding these suggestions as necessary, let’s ask what punishment are drug dealers and those behind them given? And when? Don’t the accused ones in the long-running cases get away with or without bail and continue the business again?

Reports on July 22 said that Jayakumar, an accused in twenty-five serious crimes, was arrested from Pathanamthitta and imprisoned under Kapa-Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act. He was charged with attempted murder, gang assault and distribution of prohibited tobacco and drug products. And yet how he was able to walk out of prison to repeat the same crimes ever again! This exposes the inadequacy of penal laws, inefficiency of police, undue influence and political interference happening behind the scenes. Given this, how is the good counsel of the chief minister and other ministers going to help? The Left Front government is not unaware of the fallout of alcoholism either. Despite this, the Pinarayi government has recently decided to open all the bar hotels that were shut down during tenure of the previous UDF government. Also, it is decided to open a few new ones and generously set up outlets of the Beverages Corporation. A large number of people turn to drugs because they think alcohol is not potent enough. The antics and crimes that alcoholics commit cannot be taken lightly. The government can come nowhere near a solution to the problem unless the government comes up with and enforces a comprehensive and sincere anti-drug policy.