No exemptions in drug crackdown, warns Telangana Deputy Chief Minister

Hyderabad: Telangana's Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka has made clear that the state will pursue drug offenders with equal rigour, irrespective of their social standing or public profile.

At an event held at Shilpakala Vedika to commemorate International Anti-Drug Day and Anti-Human Trafficking Day, Vikramarka stressed that the government remained steadfast in its resolve to tackle drug-related criminality without showing favoritism. He underscored that celebrities, prominent figures, and other high-profile individuals would face the same consequences as ordinary offenders if found culpable in drug use or trafficking.

The Deputy Chief Minister highlighted the government's efforts to strengthen law enforcement capabilities, noting that the Eagle Force has been given enhanced powers to identify and dismantle drug supply networks operating across Telangana. He indicated that this specialised unit would step up operations to arrest the proliferation of narcotics and reinforce measures to combat drug-linked crimes.

Minister Ponnam Prabhakar used the occasion to appeal to those in the entertainment industry—including actors, directors, and other film professionals—to join the government's anti-drug initiative. He called on them to leverage their influence to raise public consciousness about the dangers of substance abuse.

The programme drew attendance from IAS officer Anitha Ramachandran, DGP C.V. Anand, Cyberabad Police Commissioner Avinash Mohanty, Eagle Force officials, and a substantial gathering of students.