KOCHI: Kalamassery Government Polytechnic College Principal Dr. Aiju Thomas stated that the police raid at the college hostel was merely a part of the institution's 'We Can' campaign aimed at combating drug abuse. Speaking to Kerala Kaumudi, he emphasized that the arrested students would not be ostracized but instead guided back onto the right path.

"Our college primarily caters to students from ordinary families, many of whom face various hardships at home," he added.

Q. Was a letter given to police?
The Special Branch had warned that there was a possibility of drug use during the Holi celebrations. After confirming the credibility of this information, we decided to notify the police.

Q. Did you expect to find ganja in hostel?
"We only expected to find small quantities, if anything at all. But to our shock, two kilograms of ganja were recovered. Three students and two former students were arrested. However, we will not completely abandon them. Instead, we will help them correct their mistakes and turn them into responsible individuals."

Q. One of the accused is a union office-bearer, right?
"Just because one individual made a mistake, we should not assume the entire college union is the same. In fact, the union has been at the forefront of the college’s anti-drug campaigns. Student organizations are also actively involved in these efforts."

Q. Aren't you hostel warden as well?
"There is now a perception that the hostel is a hub for drug dealings, but that is not the case. Only one or two students were involved in wrongdoing. The hostel generally operates in an orderly manner. However, we have observed that dropouts sometimes return to stay in the hostels. Moving forward, we will not allow outsiders to stay."

Q. College-level investigation?
"A committee will begin its inquiry tomorrow, and a report will be submitted soon. The PTA members have expressed their support for the firm action taken."