Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Police Forge Official Alliance with Corporators to Combat Drug Menace
In a significant move to tackle the escalating drug problem, Police Commissioner Pravin Pawar has initiated a formal partnership with newly elected corporators in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. This groundbreaking collaboration aims to strengthen the anti-drug campaign at the grassroots level, leveraging local intelligence and community connections to address narcotics-related issues more effectively.
Strategic Partnership to Enhance Local Intelligence
Commissioner Pawar emphasized that this initiative marks the first time the city police are officially partnering with corporators to combat the drug menace. "Being public representatives, corporators maintain constant touch with citizens and are often the first to detect suspicious activities within their wards," Pawar explained. The partnership is designed to tap into this local knowledge network, enabling quicker identification of drug peddling and consumption hotspots.
The collaboration comes at a crucial juncture when police action under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act has grown exponentially over the past five years. "Our actions against narcotics have increased significantly, reflecting a more aggressive and targeted policing strategy," Pawar stated, highlighting the department's intensified efforts to dismantle drug networks.
Overwhelming Support from Political Figures
Former MP Syed Imtiaz Jaleel, who has long been a vocal critic of the city's drug problem, enthusiastically welcomed the police-corporator tie-up. "My 33 corporators and I publicly commit to walking the extra mile to rid the city of drugs," Jaleel declared. He emphasized that drug abuse has destroyed numerous lives and triggered serious crimes, including murders, making this collaborative effort essential for community safety.
Dramatic Surge in Enforcement Statistics
Police data reveals the remarkable scale of the ongoing crackdown:
- NDPS-related operations increased from just 26 in 2021 to a staggering 283 in 2025
- Arrested accused surged from 67 to 337 during the same period
- Financial value of seized narcotics reached over Rs 2.82 crore in 2025, the highest ever recorded in the city
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ratnakar Navale explained that these figures represent more than just numerical growth. "This reflects a strategic transition to a more structured, intelligence-driven approach," Navale noted. The frequency of operations nearly doubled each year, demonstrating the department's serious commitment to pursuing drug-related offenses.
Record-Breaking Seizures and Improved Detection
While the estimated value of seized narcotics dipped slightly in 2022 and 2023 due to changing trafficking patterns, it skyrocketed to unprecedented levels in 2024-2025. Inspector (Crime) Gajanan Kalyankar described this period as a significant breakthrough for the anti-narcotics cell. "We witnessed unprecedented growth in both quantity and value of seized material," Kalyankar reported.
This success was attributed to several key factors:
- Sustained surveillance operations
- Improved coordination across police units
- Timely inputs from informers
- Enhanced detection capabilities
Kalyankar expressed optimism that involving corporators would further improve ground-level intelligence. "Many drug activities operate quietly within residential pockets. Corporators' inputs will help us identify emerging hotspots before situations escalate," he explained.
Comprehensive Approach Beyond Enforcement
The partnership extends beyond intelligence gathering to include awareness programs aimed at educating citizens about the health risks and legal consequences of drug abuse. Police officers confirmed that corporators will actively participate in these community outreach initiatives, particularly targeting youth who are most vulnerable to drug addiction.
Commissioner Pawar reiterated the department's commitment to intensifying enforcement while broadening community participation. "This dual approach of strong enforcement and community engagement is essential for achieving long-term, sustainable control over the drug menace," Pawar concluded, emphasizing that the police-corporator alliance represents a new chapter in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar's fight against narcotics.
