Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 30 October 2025
Reiterating the Administration’s determination to make the Islands drug-free, the 19th meeting of the Andaman & Nicobar Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) was held on Wednesday at the Conference Hall, Police Headquarters, under the chairpersonship of Ms. Sindhu Pillai A, IPS, Inspector General of Police (Law & Order/Intelligence) and Chairperson, ANTF.
The meeting saw active participation from all key stakeholder departments including Health Services, Education, Transport, Forest, Fisheries, Social Welfare, Port, CISF, and the Airport Authority of India.
Participants engaged in detailed discussions on pressing issues related to the drug menace in the Islands and shared valuable insights to strengthen strategies for supply reduction, demand reduction, and harm reduction. Emphasis was laid on enhancing inter-departmental coordination to ensure an integrated approach against narcotic-related activities.
Ms. Yogita Sharma, DANIPS, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Narcotics), presented a comprehensive PowerPoint report highlighting departmental compliance with the decisions taken during the previous ANTF meeting.
Commending the ongoing efforts of all departments, Ms. Sindhu Pillai underscored the urgency of building a drug-free environment and reiterated the Administration’s firm commitment to eradicating drugs from the Islands. She also emphasized the need to strengthen cargo inspection mechanisms and improve rehabilitation facilities for individuals affected by substance abuse.
The meeting concluded with a collective resolve to work unitedly towards achieving the vision of a #DrugsFreeIslands.
The Andaman & Nicobar Police has urged citizens to remain alert and report any information related to drug trafficking or abuse to the Anti-Narcotics Police Station at 03192-234216, 9531856080, or the helpline 112. Public cooperation, the police emphasized, remains vital in building a safer and healthier community.
