Operation Thunder: A Mother's Tears And A Resolute City's Fight Against Drugs
When I took charge as Nagpur commissioner of police, I was not prepared for the heartbreak that walked into my office one afternoon. It was a mother — shaking, silent, and shattered.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
She eventually spoke, and her words have stayed with me ever since. "Sir," she said, "only you can help me. My son is just 16. He's addicted to drugs. He's become violent. He has raised his hand on me. He steals from home. He barely eats or sleeps. I don't know how to save him." It was the story of many families — a crisis spreading in our society, behind closed doors, consuming children, breaking families.
That moment gave birth to Operation Thunder — a mission to not only stop supply of drugs but to confront the suffering.
It was about awakening a city, protecting our youth.
We began with city-wide strategy, and clear directives. Identify and dismantle the entire ecosystem: from manufacturers and transporters to suppliers, traffickers, and consumers who sustain it.
Old case files were reopened. Surveillance and intelligence gathering intensified. Then, one night, in a single operation, over 800 habitual offenders were apprehended.
The era of tolerance was over. The action was backed by legal steps, like cases under MCOCA, PIT NDPS, and MPDA, ensuring offenders faced real and lasting consequences.
But Operation Thunder was never about numbers alone. It was about deep, systemic transformation. The NDPS Cell was restructured. Dedicated officers were trained further. We focused on backward and forward linkages — origin, distribution, and victims.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
This led to the first successful use of the PIT NDPS Act in the city.
Behind every seized packet, every report, and every arrest, there were heartbreaking stories. Drug peddlers preyed on vulnerable young boys and girls, luring with free samples. Once hooked, the exploitation began. Some young girls were pushed into prostitution. A few, unable to cope, took their own lives. These weren't just statistics — they were silent screams, in broken homes.
Enforcement alone could not solve them. We knew we had to reach out — to educate, engage, and empower. Awareness became our strongest weapon.
Through sustained outreach, over 87,000 students across Nagpur were sensitized about the dangers of drug abuse. In schools, colleges, and vulnerable areas, holding awareness sessions, discussions, and open dialogues. Over 17,000 students took the anti-drug pledge through the ministry of home affairs portal.
We proposed the formation of Anti-Drug Clubs as peer-led spaces to encourage vigilance, early detection, and support.
Nagpur is now witnessing a shift. Conversations have begun in homes and schools. Our officers are mentors, counsellors, and protectors. But our work is far from over.
To every parent reading this, I urge you: be your child's safe space. Pay attention to moods, behaviour, silence. Your involvement can save them.
To our teachers — you are the eyes and ears of our community. One concerned word, one phone call to the authorities can prevent a lifetime of regret.
To the youth — you are stronger than temptation. You are not alone. You don't need drugs to escape — you need a purpose, a mission, and belief in your potential.
As the world observes the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26, let us not just participate in ceremonies. Let us act with conviction. Let us speak, intervene, and protect.
Say NO to drugs. Say YES to courage. Say YES to a drug-free Nagpur. Together, let us thunder against this menace. Together, let us protect our future.
(The writer is commissioner of police, Nagpur City)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
5 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
PMLA court grants bail to aide of Dawood's brother
MUMBAI: A special court constituted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) has granted bail to Israd Sayyed, an aide of Iqbal Kaskar, the younger brother of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim, in connection with a money laundering case. Munbai : File photo of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim's brother Iqbal Kaskar who was arrested on Monday night by the crime branch of the Thane Police in connection with an investigation into an extortion case. PTI Photo (PTI9_19_2017_000047B) (PTI) The ED had accused Kaskar and his aides, Israd Sayyed and Mumtaz Shaikh, of being the masterminds behind extortion of money and property from builders, and of being knowingly indulging in laundering of proceeds of crime to the tune of ₹ 78.63 lakh. The extortion complaint had alleged that in 2017, Kaskar and his associates extorted ₹ 30 lakh in cash and a flat worth ₹ 60 lakh in the Neopolis building in Thane from local builder Suresh Jain. Kaskar and his aides allegedly threatened the builder using Dawood's name and took the flat in the name of Mumtaz Ejaj Shaikh alias Raju, a close associate of Iqbal. The builder had filed an FIR at the Kasarvadavali police station, claiming that Kaskar's associates made repeated visits and continued to pressurise him. Based on the FIR, the ED initiated a money laundering investigation on September 26, 2017, and filed a chargesheet in 2022. Sayyed's advocate submitted that he is innocent and has committed no crime. The defence stated that he was acquitted under the original MCOCA case based on which the ED case was registered. Relying on the ground of parity, the defence argued that Kaskar has already been granted bail by the high court in the same case. The prosecution argued that Sayyed cannot avail the ground of parity as he threatened Mehta and extorted one flat and ₹ 20 lakhs from him. The court observed that the role of Sayyed is similar to that of Kaskar, who was released on bail by the high court. The court said that Sayyed is also acquitted in the MCOCA case, which is the predicate offence. The special sessions judge, Mahesh K Jadhav, in an order passed on June 16, said, 'The applicant is also in jail for a long time,' and held that Sayyed is entitled to be released on bail on the grounds of parity.
Time of India
14 hours ago
- Time of India
Cops seize Rs1.88L e-cigs hidden in shoe boxes at garments shop
Nagpur: In a major crackdown under 'Operation Thunder', Nagpur Police seized 62 e-cigarette devices concealed in shoe boxes at a ready-made garments shop at Barakhadi Chowk, Nara Road, Jaripatka, on Thursday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The raid, conducted by the crime branch's anti-narcotics cell, targeted the illegal sale of banned e-cigarettes, following a specific tip-off. Two individuals, shop owner Jitendra Solanki, 36, and worker Yogesh Chandekar, 35, were apprehended for stocking and selling the prohibited items. The e-cigarettes were smuggled into the city from Delhi. The operation was supervised by deputy commissioner of police (Crime) Rahul Maknikar, assistant commissioner of police Abhijeet Patil, and additional commissioner of police (Crime) Vasant Pardeshi, under the guidance of commissioner of police Ravinder Singal. Head constable Vijay Yadav and his team executed a well-planned trap, uncovering the illicit stock hidden in storeroom accessible through a concealed door in the shop's trial room. The seized e-cigarettes are estimated to be of approximately Rs1.88 lakh. The police also confiscated CCTV cameras and recording devices from the premises to aid the investigation. A case was registered at Jaripatka police station under sections 4, 5, 7, and 8 of E-Cigarette Prohibition Act. 'Operation Thunder', spearheaded by CP Singal, aims to curb possession and sale of narcotics across Nagpur. The raid was part of intensified patrolling by the anti-narcotics squad and the action in Jaripatka was based on intelligence about the illegalities occurring in the shop. Further investigations are underway to track down the supply chain and identify any additional accomplices involved in the racket.
Time of India
14 hours ago
- Time of India
Bail for accused in MCOCA case
Mumbai: Almost eight years after he was arrested in an extortion case in which Iqbal Kaskar was an accused, a special MCOCA court recently granted bail to Israr Sayyed. The judge noted that Kaskar was already granted bail in the case. The court specifically noted that Iqbal Kaskar and Sayyed's roles were similar, both being accused of threatening Suresh Mehta to extort Rs20 lakh and forcing him to register a flat in the name of accused Mumtaz Shaikh. tnn
