Jaipur: At a time when police forces across the country are increasingly using artificial intelligence and data-driven tools to combat the narcotics trade, Jaipur police’s latest anti-drug initiative is banking on an older policing principle — building human intelligence through public participation.A month after the launch of Mission Jagruti, the dedicated WhatsApp helpline has received 43 confidential public inputs, leading to the registration of 11 FIRs and the arrest of one accused, significantly expanding the city’s citizen-led intelligence network against drug trafficking.Deputy commissioner of police (South) Rajarshi Raj Varma said Thursday that the helpline number, 9530424984, has strengthened the police’s intelligence grid by encouraging residents to anonymously share information on drug-related activities. Tips have included suspected hideouts of drug peddlers, illegal outlets selling narcotics, and the movement of drugs near schools, colleges and coaching institutes.The initiative marks a renewed focus on community policing, with residents acting as force multipliers by providing actionable intelligence directly to investigators. Varma said every input is verified and analysed before a police team is assigned to act on it.He said such local intelligence is often difficult to gather through conventional surveillance alone and helps police identify emerging drug hotspots before they become entrenched.Mission Jagruti was launched on June 22. As part of the campaign, a follow-up programme was held Friday at Patrakar Colony police station, where elected representatives and councillors from Sanganer Assembly constituency were urged to support the initiative under the slogan “Apna Ward, Nasha Mukti Ward” (My Ward, Drug-Free Ward).Around 400 people, including school students, NCC cadets and representatives of coaching institutes, participated in the programme. Police later visited coaching centres in the area, urging managements to publicise the Mission Jagruti WhatsApp helpline, distribute awareness material and install complaint boxes to enable students and residents to report drug-related activities confidentially.Coaching institutes were also asked to maintain drug-free campuses, with police hoping sustained public participation will further strengthen the city’s intelligence network against the narcotics trade.
