Hyderabad Police Raid 558 Shops Near Schools in Massive Anti-Tobacco Drive Hyderabad City Police conducted a large-scale enforcement operation on Saturday, raiding 558 shops located near schools and colleges across the city as part of a citywide crackdown named Operation Safe School. The initiative, led by Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar, aimed to curb the sale of tobacco products near educational institutions and prevent students from early exposure to addictive substances. Nearly 5,000 police personnel, including teams from the Task Force, Special Units, H-New Wing, Reserve Police, and Law & Order divisions, participated in the coordinated inspections across all commissionerate zones. The operation was launched to address concerns about the accessibility of cigarettes, gutka, and other tobacco products to students, which officials warned could lead to nicotine addiction and subsequently increase the risk of alcohol and narcotic drug use among teenagers. Studies cited by the police highlighted the correlation between early exposure to tobacco and long-term health, educational, and behavioral issues. Commissioner Sajjanar emphasized that unchecked addiction could also contribute to juvenile crime, underscoring the necessity of early intervention. During the raids, cases were booked against shop owners found violating the law. Sajjanar personally oversaw the operation, inspecting shops in areas such as Chirag Ali Lane, Red Hill, Mehdipatnam, Mallepally Priya Talkies Junction, and Goshamahal. He directed officers to enforce strict legal action against those selling tobacco products near schools, warning that such activities would result in severe consequences.#v_c_sajjanar #operation_safe_school #hyderabad_city_police #h_new_division #mj_bridge
