Says he has no report on Goa’s drug menace
PANJIM, JAN 21
The AICC General Secretary in charge of Goa, B K Hariprasad did what he could do best. Pressed by journalists to respond to the serious developments of the Goa police’s involvement in the drug trade, Hariprasad said he had received no report from the Chief Minister on the drug issue.
He compounded the issue further by saying that there were some newspaper reports “but we can’t rely on them”.
Hariprasad, who was here to attend a general body meeting of the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee, however, found time to deliver a social lecture on drugs. “Drugs is a social menace and needs to be dealt with an iron hand”, he said and added “it is not confined to Goa. It (the drug menace) is there in several States”.
Shockingly, he continued. “There has been no specific complaint with regards to the drugs trade in Goa. Whenever there is a complaint with High Command we will promptly act”, he said
He probably was not briefed too that seven police officers have already been arrested and released on bail for their alleged involvement in drugs trade and the allegations have also been levelled against Home Minister Ravi Naik’s son. Moreover one PSI, Gudlar has been caught on camera trying to supply drugs to two women
Further, Hariprasad said, he was overall happy with the performance of the Digambar Kamat-led Government.
“I am happy with the overall performance of the State Government. It has successfully completed four years”, he stated.
DON’T AIR GRIEVANCES IN PUBLIC: Hariprasad did not take kindly to statements by some Congress Legislative members demanding removal of Home Minister Ravi Naik.
He said that it is not right on the part of the Congress leaders to make statements in public against their own colleague.
“If they have any grievances they should have approached the party High Command and not make statements in public”, he asserted.
The CLP members had yesterday demanded that the chief minister immediately remove Naik as Home Minister as the Home Department had brought disgrace to the State.
The CLP members were pointing to the two cases of police officials being involved in drugs and the custodial death of NRI Cipriano Feranndes.
Replying to questions on what action was being contemplated against Ravi Naik, for the present mess in the police department he said, “Home ministry is a sensitive department and whenever any specific complaint against anyone comes the Government will have no problem in acting”.
“We do not have any complaint. The moment we have a complaint we will act”, Hariprasad said.
NO PROOF AGAINST ROY: Hariprasad also maintained there was no truth in allegations against Home Minister Ravi Naik’s son Roy.
“There is no proof of Roy being involved in the drugs trade. If you have proof bring it to me we will take action”, he said adding “…but for this a specific complaint is needed”.
A Swedish model and a former girlfriend of Israeli drug dealer Atala, had accused Roy of being linked to the drug mafia. Naik, however, has denied the charges.
