Team Herald
PANJIM: Against the backdrop of the death of two youth from Tamil Nadu due to suspected drug overdose, Town and Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardesai accused Goa Police of being in connivance with drug traders.
Stating that the government is committed to zero-tolerance to the narcotics trade, Sardesai called upon Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to clamp down on corrupt police officers in order to break the back of the drug trade in the State.
“The Goa Forward Party and Manohar Parrikar-led coalition government shares a common policy of zero-tolerance to drugs. We will not allow drug trafficking in the State,” he said.
“Even after having the policy, there is news of two youth dying due to drug overdose. The incident clearly shows that drugs are still available openly,” the Minister and leader of Goa Forward Party said.
Sardesai stated that he is a strong supporter of Goa Police but not in the drug trade issue. “I believe that drug trade is not like desecration of religious structure that some unknown person comes and break the law. It is a well-organised trade and it can only happen in connivance or collusion of some people at the top,” he claimed.
“However, nobody from the government supports drugs as we have a clear policy of zero-tolerance to drugs. Which means, that some police officer may be involved,” the Minister charged.
“I want the government to clamp down on the police officers involved or part of this illegal trade to break the back of the drug peddlers,” he demanded.
Sardesai reiterated that the government cannot ban night parties as a step to crack down on drug trafficking. “Entertainment is also part of tourism and we just cannot finish off entertainment industry under the garb of crack down on drug traffic. We will have a balanced approach in which we will not allow the name of Goa to be spoilt,” he said.
The Chief Minister has already issued orders for a crackdown on the narcotics trader in the coastal belt following a high level meeting with Director General Of Police, Superintendent of Police (ANC) and other police officials.
