MARGAO: The narcotic trade appears to have made inroads in the interior villages of Salcete taluka and the South Goa district in general with citizens raising serious concerns over the increasing trade of the contraband and demanding that the authorities maintain a strict vigil in the remote areas.
of the district.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
The residents told Herald that the number of drug peddlers too has increased and their only aim is to make fast money by leaving the future of the youth in the dark.
Several citizens have accused the police of not initiating action, despite informing them about the drug trade in the villages, as they claimed that weed and grass have reached each village in recent years. They complained that the drug trade has started to finish young children, who are the country’s future.
Stating that this is a serious issue as the children from villages are getting addicted to drugs, Camurlim Sarpanch Basilio Fernandes said, “The scenario of drugs trade penetrating the villages is very serious in nature, but shockingly it seems that the government is not serious. A minister making a statement in the assembly that a party without drugs is not possible is itself a proof of the government’s stand.”
He alleged that it is shocking to see the police not taking the issue seriously, despite complaining and informing them about the drug trade in the villages.
“If any action is initiated by the police it will be just the arrest of a small fish and leave the big ones scot free so that the drug trade continues,” said Fernandes.
He expressed shock that even people from villages are mum on the issue, despite children getting addicted to drugs.
Benaulim resident Cruz Fernandes, who has been witness from the prosecution side in the several drug cases, said that informers are being targeted by the drug paddlers with the help of police.
“Yes, drugs penetrated the interior villages’ long ago, and villages like Colva and Benaulim are perfect examples. Shockingly, there is no serious action from the concerned authorities and the children from villages continue to fall prey to drugs,” he said, raising serious concern on the issue.
He alleged that for the sake of money even milk suppliers are engaged in drug trade.
Herculano Niasso, a Davorlim resident admitted that several youth from the area are addicted to drugs and demanded proper checking and patrolling from the concerned authorities.
“Children from villages are now addicted to drugs and it is a very sorry state affairs. Seeing the present situation pertaining to the issue it is very difficult to predict the future of our children,” he said.
Reacting to the issue, Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco said the police take an oath that they will protect the interest of the State and the citizens, but they have failed and time will come when police officer will get killed in this mess, upon which they will feel the sorrow and get to know the seriousness of the issue.
“Drugs are made available in the gully and I had raised this issue time and again in the assembly, and even before the police but nothing has been done,” he alleged.
Blaming the Police Department for the drugs penetrating the villages, the MLA said the police should be responsible for finishing the future generation.
“Police have been just got up from their deep slumber after the death of Sonali Phogat but it seems they are trying to protect the big drug mafia, just like hushing up the shooting case at Curchorem,” he alleged.
