PANJIM: After a massive crackdown on prostitution rackets, Director General of Police Muktesh Chander has now launched a crusade against the drug trade asking citizens to watch the recently released Bollywood movie “Udta Punjab” in a bid to curb the menace in the State.
“Goa should not be allowed to become an ‘Udta Punjab.’ Everyone should watch the movie as it sheds light on the drug menace in Punjab. Wherever you see drugs, you should inform police. You should not let Goa become ‘Udta Punjab,” he said while flagging off a rally organised on the occasion of International Day against Drug Abuse on Sunday.
Without elaborating on the drug menace in the State, Chander advised the people to watch the movie exposing its bad effects and ‘Say No to Drugs.’
The movie was recently embroiled in a controversy for showing Punjab in bad light on the rampant use of drugs particularly among the youth. Goa faces a similar, if not as serious as Punjab, a situation wherein especially the popular tourist coastal belt is prone to the menace.
“We have booked many cases and wherever there was a complaint we will take action,” Chander commented.
This year, over half a dozen drug-related offences have been recorded till date. In 2015, the Anti Narcotics Cell had booked 23 cases and arrested 25 persons, of which 15 were Indians and 10 were foreign nationals from Nepal, Israel, Italy and Nigeria. The total drugs seized included ganja, charas, cocaine, LSD papers, LSD liquid, heroin and amphetamine costing approximately Rs 10 crore.
Earlier this year, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal had spoken of how Goa is the easiest place in India to get drugs, citing that there were hardly any arrests made. “Punjab is acting tough but gets branded as a drug capital. Punjab is just a highway for drugs route and not the market,” he had said.
His remark drew sharp criticism in Goa with Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar stating that the drug menace in Goa is not as complex as it is in Punjab. “People think they can freely use drugs here. This is not true. Last year, contraband worth Rs 10 crore was seized which was thrice the amount seized in 2014. The drug menace in Goa is not as complex as it is in Punjab. I invite to him to visit Goa even if it is for a fortnight, and enjoy,” Parsekar was quoted as saying.
