Dehradun, June 11 -- Uttarakhand police have constituted a special operations task force (SOTF) in Kumaon range for effective control over the drug trade and police related corruption, a police official said. It came after senior police officials received complaints of drug trade, corruption involving police, and serious organized crimes from public representatives and common citizens across various districts in the Kumaon range. Although instructions were given to district-level authorities to address these complaints, it was often observed that the local police either ignored the complaints or handled them superficially, with instances of collusion with criminals also coming to light, according to officials. It also came to light youth are increasingly falling prey to drug abuse, with illegal drug dealers operating near schools, colleges, and other educational institutions, leading to the physical, mental, and social deterioration of young individuals. Inspector general of police (IG) Kumaon Riddhim Agarwal said, "In compliance with the directives of Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to make the state free from corruption and drugs, we have taken a significant initiative...we have constituted a Special Operations Task Force (SOTF) at the range level in Kumaon. The primary objective of this task force is to establish strict control over drug trafficking and corruption, involving police collusion." "The task force also aims to further strengthen law and order, and ensure peace and security in society," she said. She added, "We have selected qualified and committed police personnel from all districts of the Kumaon range for the task force." This task force will carry out investigations independently and fairly under the direct supervision of the IG Kumaon to ensure swift resolution of complaints related to drug trade and police-related corruption, according to officials. A senior official of the police department said, "The IG has made it unequivocally clear that any police personnel found involved in criminal activities during SOTF operations will face strict punitive action. A zero-tolerance policy will be followed in such cases." According to officials, a dedicated helpline number (9411110057) has been issued at the range level for such cases. "The public can share information about illegal drug trade, organized crime, heinous offenses, and police-related corruption by simply calling 9411110057. The identity of informants will be kept strictly confidential. For all other general issues or emergencies, the public should use the 112 helpline, which is managed at the district level," the IG said...