Hyderabad: Hyderabad City Police conducted Operation Safe School, raiding 558 shops near educational institutions to curb illegal tobacco sales and protect students from addiction.
The special drive was carried out on Saturday with around 5,000 personnel participating in simultaneous inspections across the city. The operation aimed to eliminate the drug menace and ensure addiction-free surroundings near schools and colleges.
Police said tobacco use often acted as an entry point into substance abuse. They added that easy access to such products near educational institutions increased the risk of students progressing toward alcohol and drug addiction.
Operation Safe School enforces strict tobacco laws
Authorities conducted the raids under provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003, which prohibits tobacco sales within 100 yards of educational institutions. Selling tobacco to minors also attracts penalties under the Juvenile Justice Act.
Cases were registered against shops found violating these rules during the drive. The Task Force, Special Teams, H-NEW wing, Reserve Police, and Law and Order units took part in the coordinated action.
V. C. Sajjanar personally supervised the operation and inspected areas including Chirag Ali Lane, Red Hills, Mehdipatnam, Mallepally Priya Talkies Junction, and Goshamahal. He directed officials to take strict action against violators.
Operation Safe School intensifies enforcement and monitoring
Speaking at Goshamahal, the Commissioner said an “iron fist” would be used against those selling tobacco to minors. He said decoy operations had confirmed that several दुकानदारs were violating the law despite restrictions.
Sajjanar warned that there would be no leniency for offenders and announced the appointment of a special officer within the H-NEW wing for continuous monitoring.
He also urged schools and parents to share responsibility in tackling the issue. He suggested installing CCTV cameras around institutions and linking them to the Command Control Center.
The Commissioner advised parents to closely monitor their children’s activities and peer groups. He also appealed to the public to report illegal sales by calling Dial 100 or the H-NEW helpline.
Senior officers, including Additional Commissioners M. Srinivasulu and Tafseer Iqubal, Joint Commissioners Joel Davis and Swetha, and other officials, participated in the operation.