Hyderabad: To curb the sale of nicotine-based substances to schoolchildren, police on Saturday, April 18, conducted search operations at more than 550 pan shops located near educational institutions across Hyderabad under the Operation Safe School program.
Around 5,000 police personnel, split into 500 teams, searched pan shops located around 100 yards from schools in areas including Puranapul, Aghapura, Habeebnagar, Malakpet, Chaderghat, Kalapather, Charminar, Pathergatti, Golconda, Goshamahal, Chandrayangutta, Balapur, Uppuguda, Shaheennagar, Borabanda and other localities.
Hailing the operation as a success, Hyderabad City Commissioner of Police, VC Sajjanar, warned shop owners to discourage selling tobacco-based substances like cigarettes or pan masala to children. “It is prohibited to have a pan shop within 100 yards of an educational institution. We will invoke Sections of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, and if necessary, the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS),” he said.
The senior officer said Saturday’s search operation was launched following several instances of pan shop owners selling harmful substances to schoolchildren. “Police had been conducting surveillance and filming activities over the past week,” he said, adding that the inspections will continue.
He visited shops near educational institutions in Chirag Ali Lane, Red Hills, Mehdipatnam, Mallepally Priya Talkies Junction, and Goshamahal, which are normally crowded.
“Operation Safe School was launched following complaints from parents. We conducted a decoy operation and recorded video evidence showing several shopkeepers selling tobacco products to children,” Commissioner Sajjanar said.
He clarified that there would be no leniency for those engaging in such sales near schools and colleges. To ensure continuous surveillance and prevent the recurrence of such crimes, he announced the appointment of a special officer within the H-NEW wing. The teams will also consist of officials from the revenue and Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) departments.
“Once children get addicted to nicotine-based substances, it opens a gateway for drugs and ruins their lives. If found guilty, police will not hesitate to open a history sheet against you,” Sajjanar’s stern message to all pan shop owners.
He urged the public to immediately report any illegal sale of tobacco products near educational institutions by calling Dial 100 or the H-NEW phone number 8712661601.
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