Awareness Drive Against Drug Abuse and Cybercrime Held at Mangaluru Central Bus Stand

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Mangaluru : A large-scale public awareness program against drug addiction was organized on Wednesday near the Central Bus Stand at State Bank, Mangaluru. The initiative was a collaborative effort by the Dakshina Kannada Bus Owners’ Association, Mangaluru City Police, and School of Social Work, Roshni Nilaya. The event was officially inaugurated by Mangaluru City Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) P. Umesh, marking a significant step towards educating the masses in high-traffic public zones. Following the formal session, students from Roshni Nilaya performed an impactful street play to visually demonstrate the devastating effects of substance abuse on individuals and their families.

Speaking at the gathering, ACP Ravish Naik highlighted that drug addiction is a major social plague and urged the public to report any information regarding drug peddlers. He assured that the identity of informants would be kept confidential and emphasized that those struggling with addiction would be provided with necessary medical assistance. Furthermore, the ACP addressed the rising threat of cybercrime in Mangaluru, revealing a staggering statistic that nearly 6,500 people in the city have been linked to or affected by cybercrime cases. He warned citizens about various fraudulent schemes, including “digital arrests,” fake police impersonations, and loan or gaming app scams that drain life savings. He advised the public to remain calm, discuss suspicious calls with loved ones, and immediately report financial frauds by calling the national helpline number 1930.

The program also featured insights from ACP Pratap Singh Thorat and faculty members of Roshni Nilaya, including Sandro Lobo and Sarika Ankit, alongside Srinivas Nayak Indaje, a member of the State Executive Committee of the Karnataka Working Journalists’ Association. The session concluded with a call for community cooperation to make Mangaluru a drug-free and cyber-safe city. The event was presided over by Azeez Parthippady, President of the Dakshina Kannada Bus Owners’ Association, and attended by other prominent members including Pushparaj B.N., Jayarama Sheka, Ramachandra Pilar, and Joel Dilraj Fernandes.