PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has vowed to come down hard on drug traffickers in the State against the backdrop of political backlash over rampant drug abuse that led to the death of two visitors in separate incidents.
In his revived crackdown plan, the Chief Minister said that a premises owner where smuggling or consumption of narcotics is found will be prosecuted.
“We are strictly cracking down on drug activities. The Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) in coordination with the local police has booked quite a few cases lately, and the drive will continue. Whether night clubs or parties, premises where drugs consumption or smuggling takes place, we will book cases against its owner also,” he said at a press conference, after chairing a high-level meeting of Goa Police at its headquarters in the capital on Wednesday.
In a strong message to Goa’s visitors, the CM emphasised that ‘Goa is not for drugs’ but it has its doors open for good tourists.
He revealed that three major drug peddlers have been arrested by the ANC during the last two days, which will severely affect the peddling.
The government and the police force have come under severe criticism following the high-profile death of BJP leader Sonali Phogat, and Puducherry youth owing to suspected drug overdose within a gap of one week. Hyderabad Police’s media statement to break the drug chain in Goa “ in view of Anjuna local Preetesh Borkar’s arrest in Hyderabad “ prompted a series of raids by Goa Police in the northern coastal belt last week. The CM said that its fight against drugs will continue whether tourism or non-tourist season in the State.
The ANC has meanwhile detained three locals, who are considered one of the biggest drug dealers. The officers are in the process of sending the detainees “ Joao Lopes and Avelino D’Souza from Calangute, and Velly D’Costa of Quepem “ to jail under the PIT-NDPS Act. CM Sawant asserted that their detention will weaken peddling activity in Goa.
Reacting to repeated criticism over the spurt in crimes in Goa, Sawant claimed that the crime rate has dropped while detection has seen a rise from the year 2019. “During the last two years, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many people migrated outside the State and they are returning because of the economic activity in the State. Many of them from outside Goa are involved in the crime,” he said adding that 95 per cent of rape cases involve the accused who is known to the victim or the minors.
In another major move, the department has tasked Lady Police Constables with interacting with the adolescents in their respective areas and educating them to safeguard themselves from crime. “Our focus is to reduce crime,” he said.
...Says Goa Police will take Phogat case to logical end
PANAJI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant reiterated that Goa Police will take Sonali Phogat’s death case to its logical end, hinting the government will not succumb to pressure tactics for handing over the probe to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
“I have faith in Goa Police. They will reach to the bottom of the case,” he said after a review meeting with police’s top brass on Wednesday.
