PANJIM: Hinting at a possible police-drug peddler nexus, Minister for Water Resources Vinod Palyekar met the SP, North and demanded that the entire staff deployed at Anjuna police station, who have completed more than three years in the jurisdiction, be shunted out. 

Borders of the Anjuna and Siolim coastal belt would be be sealed between 4 pm and 4 amfor for checking of vehicles for drugs and other related issues, post Ganesh Chaturthi festival. 

The Minister who met SP Chandan Chowdhary here on Sunday also submitted the names of two police sub-inspectors (PSIs) citing their alleged involvement in the drug trade and corruption. 

Speaking to the media after meeting the SP, Palyekar said he has submitted the names of two PSIs to the SP demanding action against them following allegations of their involvement in the drug trade. “I have demanded an inquiry against them,” he said. 

“I have also requested that the entire staff attached to Anjuna police station, who have been serving there for more than three years now, be shunted out,” he said. 

Palyekar, MLA from Siolim constituency said one platoon of 30 IRB constables would be deputed at Anjuna coastal belt for vigilance. “All borders of Siolim constituency will be sealed between 4pm and 4am after the Chaturthi. Vehicles will be scanned. If anyone is found with anything suspicious, he/she would be taking into custody,” he said. 

Two youths from Tamil Nadu had died last Sunday due to suspected drug overdose following which police have begun a massive crackdown. Both the youths had consumed drugs at Vagator beach, which is situated in Palyekar’s Siolim constituency.

Earlier, speaking at the sidelines of a press conference, Palyekar said police have been  given a free hand to crack down on drug trade in the State and not to spare anyone. 

 “The drug menace should be completely eradicated from the coastal belts. We are already on the job. Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has told me that we will eradicate drugs from the coastal belt in these five years. We are working towards it,” he said.

The minister said whoever involved in the trade would be arrested irrespective of his stature. “He might be a policemen or even me, if someone is involved and there is  evidence, he will be arrested,” he said.

Minister said that Government is not against late night parties but one should not make use of these for their drug business. “Government will not tolerate that,” he said.