Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Tuesday acknowledged that he had made a "factual error" while speaking about an unusual form of drug abuse involving venomous snakes in the state, accepting a correction made by social media influencer Dr Shimna Azeez.
Chennithala, who has launched a crusade against the drug menace in Kerala, invited Dr Azeez to become a "Toofan Warrior" as part of "Toofan," the state's anti-drug campaign.
During a debate in the State Assembly on Monday, the minister claimed that the drug menace in the state had reached alarming levels, citing reports that baby snakes were allegedly being used to bite people's tongues to induce intoxication.
Dr Azeez challenged the claim, saying that a viper bite on the tongue would most likely be fatal rather than produce a narcotic effect.
Stating that the UDF government had fulfilled its election promise to crack down on narcotics by launching "Toofan," Chennithala said he had taken note of Dr Azeez's correction, which had been circulated through the media.
"While speaking about the practice of using venomous snake bites to induce intoxication, I stated that the snakes used for the purpose were young vipers. That statement was factually incorrect. I accept the doctor's correction," the minister said in a Facebook post.
He did not elaborate on the exact nature of the mistake but said it had occurred while discussing reports of people using venomous snakes as part of an extremely dangerous form of intoxication.
Calling the practice "shocking," Chennithala said reports suggesting that such activities may be taking place in Kerala should be treated seriously.
He appealed to the public to share credible information with the authorities, assuring them that the identities of informants would remain confidential.
In a gesture that drew attention on social media, the minister invited Dr Azeez to join the government's anti-drug campaign.
"As part of Toofan – The Narco Hunt, I wholeheartedly invite Dr Shimna Azeez to become a Toofan Warrior," he said.
Chennithala said that the fight against drugs had been a long-standing commitment in both his personal and public life and that he had consistently spoken out against drug abuse in speeches and interviews.
