the goan I network
MARGAO
Issues of drug peddling and anti-social activities dominated the special gram sabha of the Chinchinim village panchayat on Sunday with members calling upon the authorities to put an end to the menace.
The meeting was held against the backdrop of the villagers of Durga ward marching on the Cuncolim Police station with a plea to end the menace of drug addiction in their locality.
The meeting unanimously resolved that the panchayat should persistently follow up with the authorities concerned, including the office of Chief Minister and Home Minister, local MLA, DGP etc to eliminate the problem of drug peddling to prevent the availability of drugs and narcotics in order to safeguard the village children, women, society in general and to keep the village safe.
The meeting also unanimously resolved to request the police department to ensure that intensive patrolling is carried out at vulnerable places in Chinchinim village and to increase the intelligence gathering mechanism on all unlawful activities.
It was further unanimously resolved that the recent incident at Durga ward highlighted by the villagers, exposing the dangers facing the village children, women and society, in general, should be thoroughly investigated.
Cuncolim Police station in-charge, PI Wilson D’Souza, who addressed the meeting, sought the cooperation of the villagers to put an end to drug peddling. He provided the contact number of the Cuncolim police as well as the ANC cell with a plea to the people to help the authorities crackdown on the activity.
The police officer also requested the villagers and the authorities to secure isolated places with gates to prevent anti-socials from entering the areas.
Chinchinim deputy sarpanch Valentino Barretto informed the gram sabha that the panchayat had already discussed the issue at the body meeting, and it was decided to petition the authorities to crack down on drug peddling.
Gram sabha members Savio Lopes, Cyril Leitao were amongst those who aired their views at the meeting.
