Responding to complaints about the menace of drug pushers near the de-addiction centre at Kozhikode Beach, the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has asked the District Police Chief (Kozhikode City) and the Deputy Excise Commissioner to intervene in the matter immediately. The details of the actions taken must be submitted to the commission within a week.
For several months, the de-addiction centre located near the Kozhikode Government General Hospital has been a haven for drug pushers, who reportedly come into contact with patients undergoing de-addiction treatment.
“We had sought the relocation of the de-addiction centre from the general hospital premises, as clashes and street scuffles have become frequent on its premises,” said K.S. Viswanathan, who recently visited the hospital for his child’s treatment.
According to hospital sources, a request has been forwarded to the District Collector, seeking the relocation of the de-addiction centre to a site with better security and surveillance facilities.
Meanwhile, police sources said steps had been taken to improve surveillance in the area, considering the rising number of complaints. They added that plainclothes officers would be on duty in the area 24/7 and that suspects would be detained on the spot.
Excise department sources said efforts were under way to post a sufficient number of security guards at the de-addiction centre. They also added that shifting the centre to another locality was subject to government approval.
Published – March 08, 2025 09:29 pm IST