‘Bulldozer Raj’ in Kerala; Police demolish shop selling drugs as part of ‘Operation Toofan’

IDUKKI: A shop in Idukki was demolished, marking the start of a bulldozer drive in Kerala. The police demolished the shop that was selling banned drugs, using a bulldozer. The incident happened at Pooppara in Idukki. The shop was demolished with the help of the panchayat at the request of the police.

One identified as Eashwaran built the shop in Pooppara on government land and was into the sale of banned drugs. The Santhanpara police had registered five cases against him. Since he was not ready to stop the sale despite continuously violating the law, the police issued a notice to demolish the shop voluntarily.

Eashwaran then approached the high court and tried to get a stay against the police action. However, the court dismissed the plea due to lack of sufficient documents. The court later ruled in favour of the police. Following this, the shop was completely demolished with the help of the panchayat using a bulldozer. Meantime, Eashwaran alleged that the shop was demolished without giving prior notice.

The shop was demolished as part of government's ‘Operation Toofan’. The Idukki police warned that strict action will be taken against those selling drugs. If shops established illegally are used for selling drugs, they will be completely demolished. If a shop is operating legally, its license will be revoked if it sells drugs, said the police.