PANJIM, AUG 10
Accusing some politicians along the coastal belt of their involvement in the drug trade, Home Minister Ravi Naik has threatened that action would be taken against them.
“The police department is busy collecting evidence against them (politicians) and once the process is complete, strict action will be taken against them,” said Naik, in an exclusive interview with HCN.
Stung by mounting criticism that he has done little to crack down on the drug trade in the State, Naik claimed he is ready to give up his portfolio, if the Centre asked him to do so, but said he would continue with his social work.
In a sharp attack on his opponents, Naik said he had done more to stop the drug trade than his predecessors.
“Prior to me as home minister, no one took the initiative to stop the drug trade and the drug-related parties that were going on in the State,” said Naik.
“It is only during my tenure as home minister that my department cracked the whip on the drug trade flourishing in the State. Steps are also being taken to ban all parties that promote the sale of drugs in the State,” said the home minister.
When asked to justify his reluctance to hand over the drug case to the CBI, Naik said: “The police is doing a fine job and has managed to arrest some drug dealers and even some police personnel who were encouraging the drug trade.”
“The police department is probing the matter and can solve the case faster. On the other hand, the CBI will have to study the matter first and then start the investigation. This will delay the process, as it is happening in the first IFFI scam where the opposition leader is involved,” the home minister said.
Naik further added that it is for the first time that the police department has arrested its own personnel and has suspended them pending inquiry.
Responding to allegations by Lucky Farmhouse against his son Roy in the drug case, Naik said: “Anyone can upload anybody’s picture on the internet or on You Tube, but there is no concrete evidence against my son.”
“My department has obtained permission from the Centre to send a police team to Sweden to record the statements of Lucky Farmhouse,” he said.
Describing allegations against him by the opposition as baseless, Naik said he was willing to give up his portfolio if the Centre asked him to do so.
“But I will continue with my social work and help the people of the State,” he said.
Further details of the interview with Home Minister Ravi Naik will appear on HCN’s ‘Face to Face’ programme on August 11, at 9 pm.
