The drug trade has moved from the coastal area to the interiors of the State. There have been drug hauls in locations other than the tourism belt, which indicates that the target of the drug suppliers is not just the casual visitors to the State, but the local population as well. The Leader of the Opposition, Digambar Kamat, has charged that ‘generations get finished owing to this menace’, and called for a crackdown on the trade. The demand of the MLAs is that the ‘root cause’ of the drug menace be arrived at and the kingpins identified. The police investigations must lead towards discovering the kingpins of the drug operation, as catching the stray peddler will not put an end to the illegal trade.
Recent hauls have shown that drugs have been found in new areas, and all round the year, not just during the tourism season. Even Panjim has not been spared. The discovery of 43 packets of ganja in a raid on migrants who had settled at the parade ground in Panjim is stark evidence that drugs are available in the State capital close to a school and just across the road from the Bal Bhavan. Interesting is the fact that the new MLA of Panjim has attacked the police and alleged that they are in a nexus with the drug suppliers. It is indeed questionable as to how the police in Panjim remained unaware that the migrants who for years had occupied a corner of the parade ground had been harbouring drugs. It was only when the Corporation of the City of Panaji decided to clear the ground of the migrants that the ganja packets were discovered. It raises questions of the intelligence network that the police have in place in the city.
The Panjim MLA has been especially harsh on the police handling of the drug trade. He has called them ‘inefficient’ and alleged that they are involved with the drug suppliers, which is the reason drugs are available in the State. His demand is that the cops involved in this be identified and punished. The law enforcement agencies have to answer these charges – either plead their innocence or admit their failings. It is indeed very implausible for the drug trade to exist and for the police to be totally unaware of this. The Chief Minister’s assurance that anyone in the Police Department found to be at fault will not be spared is welcome.
The Chief Minister’s admission that youth in the age group of 20 to 35 years are involved and have been caught and prosecuted, reveals just how deep this trade has penetrated in the State. It is essential for the government and law enforcement to act against the drug trade so as to protect the youth who, to earn a little, may fall prey to this, a move that will have severe adverse consequences on their future, but which they don’t realise when they are lured into the illegal trade. As suggested by the Chief Minister, schools have to take the responsibility to check on their students and counsel them where necessary.
The Sawant government has displayed a willingness to act against the drug trade. Last month the Chief Minister had sought details of the menace from the police. It is up to the law enforcement to act against the illegal trade so that the statements made are matched by action. Unless this happens, there will be no change on the ground.
