Jharsuguda: In a major enforcement drive against the illegal sale of tobacco products near educational institutions, Jharsuguda Police on Thursday carried out raids at a total of 72 locations across the district.
Acting under the jurisdiction of SDPO Jharsuguda, raids were conducted at 51 shops situated near schools and colleges, while another 21 shops were raided under SDPO Brajrajnagar’s jurisdiction. During the operation, police seized large quantities of cigarettes, bidis, gutkha, khaini, and other tobacco products.
Officials said that 72 persons have been booked under provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) for violating norms prohibiting the sale of tobacco near educational institutions.
Police sources added that the crackdown aims to curb students’ easy access to harmful tobacco products and ensure strict compliance with COTPA regulations. Authorities have also warned that such enforcement drives will continue across the district in the coming days to discourage shopkeepers from selling tobacco near schools and colleges.
Jharsuguda Superintendent of Police G. Reddy Raghavendra said, “These raids were conducted under Operation Prahar, a special drive to check the consumption, smuggling, and sale of drugs and other intoxicants near educational institutions. In this drive, 72 shops were raided in Jharsuguda and Brajrajnagar, and various tobacco products, including gutkha, bidis, and khaini, were seized. A total of 72 persons were booked under the provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) for violating norms prohibiting the sale of tobacco near educational institutions.”
