Special grama sabhas will be held in all 1,692 wards of Kozhikode district on September 28 as part of Operation Toofan, an initiative led by the Local Self-Government department. The meetings will focus on strengthening community-level efforts against substance abuse and will include the formation of Toofan volunteer forces at the ward level.

A district-level meeting of presidents and secretaries of local self-government institutions was held at the collectorate conference hall on Friday (September 25) to discuss the arrangements. District Collector M.S. Madhavikutty inaugurated the meeting. District Joint Director (LSGD) N.K. Harish presided.

Toofan flags will be hoisted at all local self-government institutions as part of the special grama sabhas. A Toofan pledge will be administered, and Toofan warriors will be declared and presented with badges. Awareness classes and video screenings will also be organised. At least 10 Toofan warriors will be identified from each grama sabha to form a Toofan Volunteer Force.

Employees of local self-government institutions, Kudumbashree, and Haritha Karma Sena workers, students, ASHA activists and anganwadi workers, youth, teachers, service pensioners, representatives of voluntary organisations and members of the public will participate in the programmes.

Follow-up activities will focus on strengthening ward-level vigilance mechanisms, facilitating the comprehensive rehabilitation of persons affected by substance abuse, gathering confidential information and ensuring greater participation of young people and students.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Pramod spoke about the measures being taken under Operation Toofan, while LSGD Assistant Director O. Manoj explained the steps to be taken by local self-government institutions. Grama Panchayat Association State Secretary Ahmed Punnakkal, district president Biju Thannikakkuzhi, Municipal Chamber office-bearer Muhammedali Kallada, association district secretary O.K. Kunhabdulla and Deputy Director K.V. Ravikumar also spoke.