Team Herald
PANJIM: Alleging rampant prostitution and trade in narcotics since 2012, Congress accused the BJP-led government in the State of being responsible in turning Goa into the crime capital of the country. The opposition also charged that the Calangute coastal belt is turning to be the ‘Bangkok of Goa’.
Congress Legislative Party (CLP) and Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) on Monday afternoon at a joint press conference referred to the incident at Anjuna, where two youth from Tamil Nadu died due to suspected drug overdose, and said it was government failure.
“The death of two youths, which is claimed to be due to drug overdose, proves the complete failure of the government and its law and order machinery. We have been raising the issue that there is rampant trade of drugs in the State, which has reached the villages and educational institutions. But government is not acting,” Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco said.
“We would like to know from the Chief Minister what he wants to make of Goa? The drug trade is flourishing like any other business. It (drugs) is being sold openly and our government is well versed with the situation,” he charged, adding that Congress will be forced to take to the streets demanding serious steps to crack down on the narcotics business and action against those involved.
GPCC General Secretary Adv Yatish Naik said Goa is witnessing murders, thefts, robberies, and loss of lives almost daily. “The BJP government is perpetrating to make Goa a crime capital, which Congress will never allow to happen,” he said.
Pointing to Calangute BJP MLA Michael Lobo’s recent statement that he has a list of police officials who are hand in glove with drugs and prostitution operators, Naik urged him to make the list public which could force the government to take action against the law breakers. “If he has any list, he should make it public. We fear that government is likely to make someone a scapegoat in these matters,” he stated.
Ex-Calangute MLA Agnelo Fernandes said that post 2012, drug and prostitution business has flourished in Calangute, which is now called the Bangkok of Goa.
