A WhatsApp group comprising around 350 residents’ association functionaries will be created in Kozhikode city to facilitate the quick exchange of emergency information with the police as part of ‘Operation Toofan’.

According to senior police officers, the initiative is expected to address a long-standing grievance of residents who often feel they lack a dedicated, real-time platform to share information or complaints with the police. The initiative will later be expanded with the support of other social media platforms and instant messaging applications, they add.

The announcement was made during a ‘Janamaithri Jagratha Sadas’ (public vigilance forum) organised by the Social Policing Division, Kozhikode city, here on Monday (July 20). The meeting brought together leaders of various residents’ associations within the limits of 16 police stations across the city to discuss major security issues and offer suggestions for improving community policing initiatives.

District Police Chief (Kozhikode city) A.P. Shoukathali inaugurated the meeting. Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) T.P. Sumesh (Control Room) presided over the inaugural session. ACP (Kozhikode Town) K.V. Pramodan explained the vision behind the meeting to the delegates, highlighting the crucial role of residents’ associations in social policing and the importance of neighbourhood collectives in supporting law enforcement. He also outlined the operational roadmap for ‘Operation Toofan’.

ACP (Special Branch) K.K. Vinodan, Assistant District Nodal Officer (Social Policing) V.K. Hariharan, Janamaithri Project Coordinator V.V. Sajithkumar, Inspector K.R. Ranjith and Sub-Inspector T.M. Sajini were among those who spoke.

Published - July 20, 2026 07:21 pm IST