However, for somebody who has been representing a constituency that has a coastal stretch notorious for the drug trade, he had, during his time in the opposition, been very quiet on the issue.
Parsekar went on to say, “We want that narcotics peddling should be controlled and government machinery is working in that direction. In the recent times, police have seized lots of drugs.”
He then hit out at the tourists saying it is they who come for drugs. “They are bankrupt. They visit Goa only for the purpose of drugs and other anti-social activities. In the days to come we will keep a more strict vigil on such kind of tourists.”
This, policing of the tourists, rather than of the drug peddlers, drew some sharp criticism and allegations of political patronage to the drug trade.
“The whole of Goa knew that SP Vijay Singh had declared war on drugs. He was shunted out by a minister. Isn’t this political patronage?” former Calangute MLA Agnelo Fernandes said.
Residents along the coast, as well as cops, say it is impossible for drugs to be sold openly without the connivance of the police and the blessings of the politicians. There have also been earlier allegations of political patronage to the drug scene in Goa.
The House Committee report on politician-police-drug mafia nexus, drafted by Minister Francisco (Mickky) Pacheco had alleged that former Home Minister Ravi Naik was shielding the drug trade. The report is yet to be accepted by the government, and the government as well as the BJP, are silent on this.
“Political patronage works this way. Some of the politician’s favorite workers protect the dealers. Of course the police are hand in glove with them. In some cases it’s the apathy of the politicians and the free hand given to their workers that helps the dealers,” Fernandes said.
Giving himself a clean certificate, Calangute BJP MLA Michael Lobo admits that drugs are a problem along the coast but says he has tried to curtail it in his constituency though there is a problem in other areas.
“Nobody will find drugs being sold in open in Calangute like the other coastal villages. I cannot comment on other constituencies represented by MLAs,” Lobo told Herald.
Art and Culture minister Dayanand Mandrekar, whose Siolim constituency includes the drug hotspots of Anjuna and Vagator, refused to speak to Herald.
DGP T N Mohan recently told Herald that it had been brought to his notice about the reappearance of the Nigerians on the Baga stretch as well as open consumption of drugs on the Anjuna and Morjim beach belts and he has promised action.
Residents along the coast, as well as cops, say it is impossible for drugs to be sold openly without the connivance of the police and the blessings of the politicians
