IPS Vakul Jindal, a 2016-batch officer of the Andhra Pradesh cadre, is currently posted as Superintendent of Police in Vizianagaram. His mission for the district is clear: build a drug-free society, dismantle trafficking networks from the roots, and ensure swift justice in crimes against women.
Speaking about the growing drug problem, particularly among youth, he shared in an interview, “Drugs are a major focus of our work. College students are the most vulnerable, and many are unaware of the consequences and long-term impact of addiction.”
Recognizing this urgent challenge, Jindal initiated a large-scale campaign that would change the way students, parents, and communities looked at the issue.
THE BIRTH OF ‘SANKALPAM’
To counter the drug menace, Jindal launched Sankalpam – Fight Against Drugs, a workshop-driven awareness movement that covered every school and college in Vizianagaram district.
The campaign was meticulously designed with high-quality material: standardized presentations, brochures explaining the harmful effects of drugs, and professionally made videos. Workshops ended with interactive quizzes, ensuring that students didn’t just hear the message but absorbed it.
Institutions that actively participated displayed large hoardings about the campaign and were recognized as Drugs Aware Institutes.
After each workshop, quizzes were also conducted to ensure that students absorbed the message.
IMPACT ON STUDENTS AND COMMUNITIES
The results were massive. Under Jindal’s leadership, 80,000 students across 700 schools and colleges were covered under Sankalpam. Beyond the campuses, the campaign reached another 2 lakh people in rural areas.
To encourage anonymous reporting, drop boxes were placed in schools and colleges, where students could discreetly share information on drug use and trafficking. This created a safe environment for young people to raise their voices without fear.
The campaign grew so effective that it was later expanded to five neighbouring districts in the Visakhapatnam range, multiplying its impact across a wider geography.
FROM AWARENESS TO ENFORCEMENT
While awareness formed the foundation, enforcement was taken to the next level. Drug-related cases under the NDPS Act rose 2.5 times, while arrests quadrupled compared to earlier years.
- Full Chain Tracking: Not just foot soldiers, but cultivators, transporters, sellers, and buyers were booked.
- Special Anti-Ganja Squads: Dedicated teams identified hotspots and placed repeat offenders under surveillance.
- Crackdown on Kingpins: Financial investigations led to the arrest of four major figures, freezing of ₹5 crore worth of assets, and preventive detention of habitual offenders.
- Night Rounds: Special patrols after 11 p.m. reduced petty crimes by intoxicated groups and curbed the late-night drug menace.
This balanced approach of education plus strict law enforcement, gave the campaign its true strength.
FOCUS ON WOMEN’S SAFETY
Beyond his war against drugs, Jindal has also prioritized crimes against women. Swift investigation and trial became the standard under his leadership. Convictions were secured in just six months of the crime, with sentences ranging between 20 to 25 years.
This speed has instilled fear among offenders, unlike when investigations are dragged on for years, and accused persons roam free on bail.
By ensuring quick justice, he not only punished offenders but also restored the confidence of women in the justice system.
BUILDING A SAFER TOMORROW
IPS Vakul Jindal’s work in Vizianagaram reflects a dual strategy: prevention through education and deterrence through enforcement. His initiative has already touched lakhs of lives, reshaped community awareness, and strengthened the rule of law in the district.
What makes his approach powerful is its clarity: empower the youth with knowledge, strengthen communities through awareness, and strike hard at those fueling the drug trade.
As one student put it after attending a Sankalpam workshop: “For the first time, we understood how dangerous drugs can be, and how easily they destroy lives.”
For Vizianagaram, and now beyond, the fight against drugs has found a powerful leader in IPS Vakul Jindal.
