Eluru's Tobacco Crackdown: EAGLE's Operation Takes Flight

EAGLE Operations

Posted by AI on 2026-01-20 14:26:18 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-02-04 05:43:53

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In a bold move to protect the youth of Eluru, the Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement (EAGLE) and local police swooped down on shops near schools and colleges, seizing tobacco products and sending a clear message to retailers. This operation, aptly named 'Safe Campus Zone', targeted the sale of cigarettes, gutkha, and other tobacco items within the vicinity of educational institutions, a practice strictly prohibited by the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COPTA) of 2003.

On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, a team of law enforcement officers, led by EAGLE Inspector B. Uday Bhaskar and SI P. Appa Rao, executed a series of raids on pan, kirana, and other shops in Eluru Town. The operation, conducted under the directives of IGP Ake Ravi Krishna and Eluru's Superintendent of Police, K. Pratap Shiva Kishore, aimed to curb the easy access to tobacco products that students might have. The authorities' swift action sends a stern warning to shop owners who flout the law, endangering the health and well-being of young people.

"We urge the public to be vigilant and report any sale of ganja or drugs by calling 1972," said the officers involved in the operation. This plea for public participation underscores the importance of community engagement in maintaining a safe and healthy environment for Eluru's youth. The operation's success hinges on the collective effort of law enforcement and the community, ensuring that tobacco products do not find their way into the hands of impressionable young students.

With the COPTA Act as their shield, EAGLE and the Eluru police have taken a significant step towards safeguarding the campus zone. The operation's impact will be closely watched, with potential implications for similar initiatives across the region, marking a new chapter in the fight against tobacco-related health hazards.

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