Herald: What do you have to say about CMs letter to all MLAs to stop going public on drugs?
Michael Lobo: The Chief Minister’s letter was quite clear that merely giving tall statements is not going to stop drugs in Goa we need to act on that. We had a high-level meeting with police heads, chief secretary and everybody and after that I think the way police have acted, where in first week itself 18 cases were detected which were major drug hauls. In the same way, I feel instead of making noise on newspapers and press conferences we need to work together and act. CM has clearly mentioned in his letter to all the coastal MLAs that you have information on drugs give it to me, to the police heads or to Anti Narcotics Cell SP, if they do not take action tell him, he will take action on the police. So that it is a very good initiative.
Herald: You were one of the MLAs who made a lot of noise on drugs issue. Weren’t you?
Lobo: Yes, I am still making noise on drugs, I want drugs to be stopped, I want drug-free Goa and I am very serious on the issue for which I am ready to team up with anybody whoever wants my help. I am always there but if you tell me to stand on the middle of the road and start shouting drugs..drugs…drugs it will not stop. What CM has said is right do not spoil the name of Goa in name of drugs. You have credible info you give me if you suspect also give me.
Herald: But is the CM right in gagging the MLAs as alleged by Opposition?
Lobo: Of Course, Goa is a tourist destination; we cannot spoil the name of Goa. In fact, in that even I would say I was wrong by merely shouting as it did not solve problem. Now I give you the similar example, Calangute, Candolim, Baga there are so many tourists coming so there will be traffic jams, there will be parking problem, if we do not solve this problems then who is going to solve it. I have to come on the road and get things sorted out. The same way drugs is the issue where it is easy for the opposition to level charges, when BJP was in the opposition they were levelling charges against Congress and now Congress is doing so. This is not the solution, and solution is what Manohar Parrikar has said to stop shouting and let us act and when we are acting let us not make a big noise. Let us crack down by identifying people who are into drugs trade.
Herald: But MLAs have information…
Lobo: Whichever MLA is shouting there shouldn’t be drugs, he should give details like I gave the details in Calangute and they were arrested. They are out on bail, but we are keeping an eye on them now if they start business again we will trap them and put them behind bars. Drugs in tourism place will come but we have to make it difficult for the peddlers to do the business. It has to be controlled. The peddler has to be scared about police and law enforcement agencies.
Herald: Was CM right in sending letters to opposition MLAs as well?
Lobo:Yes, what he meant was do not defame Goa, do not tarnish Goa’s image at world stage that it is a drug State where drugs are freely available. Yes, some peddlers are moving around, some foreigners are moving around suspiciously and now police are acting on them, I have told Calangute police, SP ANC to keep a watch on such suspicious people. So there is zero tolerance to drugs now.
Herald: Don’t you think successive governments have failed to control drug trade?
Lobo: I fully agree with you that in last two years from 2015 to 2017 the drugs trade and rave parties increased mostly in mostly in Morjim, Armbol, Anjuna Vagator and a crackdown was mandatory. However, in the name of rave parties you cannot stop music; it is the lifeline of Goa. Music is a culture of Goa, be it wedding, festival or any party. You cannot damage the tourism of Goa in the name of drugs. There are certain rave parties happening only on drugs which needs to be stopped.
ANC, Goa Police, NCB there are so many agencies there to catch them but at the same time willingness and sincerity has to be there to crack down as a politician, policemen or a bureaucrat, which Manohar Parrikar has done and you will see the results in next six months or one year. But we have to give him time.
