Mysuru: The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Karnataka South, has organised Mysuru Chalo, an awareness rally and public function aimed at freeing Mysuru and Karnataka from the menace of drugs, tomorrow (Aug. 12) at 10.30 am.

Announcing this at a press meet at Pathrakarthara Bhavan in city recently, ABVP State Secretary H.K. Praveen said that a rally will be taken out from the parking lot of Dasara Exhibition Grounds to Gandhi Square, via Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Circle and Kote Anjaneyaswamy Temple, where a public meeting will be held.

“It is a matter of grave concern that Mysuru has become a drug hub. Recently, Maharashtra Police unearthed a drug manufacturing unit worth crores of rupees in Mysuru, a clear indication of our Police’s failure. In this backdrop, we have decided to hold a public meeting to urge the Government to fulfil our demands,” said Praveen.

He demanded that the drug manufacturing case be investigated by a high-level probe team. “Suitable amendments must be made to strengthen the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (COTPA) Act, and these laws must be implemented strictly. The Government must take all necessary measures to completely dismantle the drug mafia,” he said.

The ABVP State Secretary further stressed that the Government should increase the number of rehabilitation centres for drug addicts, organise continuous awareness campaigns in schools and colleges to steer youth away from drugs, and grant total operational freedom to the Anti-Narcotics Task Force.