MAPUSA
Goa Police are catching small-time peddlers and should up their ante to net big sharks involved in drug trade, said Siolim MLA Delilah Lobo, suggesting that in the war against drugs launched by the State government, the big drug dealers were still eluding the police network.
On Saturday, Lobo also said that besides police, citizens should be vigilant to ensure narcotics do not enter their homes.
“Police are active, but need to raise their performance a notch higher. Sometimes, police catch these small-time (peddlers)…the big sharks escape from their clutches. The big sharks should be caught. This work has to go on a war footing,” Lobo said.
The popular beaches of Anjuna and Vagator come under the Siolim constituency. Several nightclubs including the controversial and now demolished Curlies restaurant operate from these areas and have been accused of peddling drugs.
The Siolim MLA was speaking to journalists at the sidelines of a function to inaugurate the beach cleanliness drive with the theme ‘Swachh Sagar Surakshit Sagar’ (clean coast, safe sea) along the Vagator beach.
Continuing, Lobo said when it comes to drugs, everyone “ citizens, elected representatives and police “ should remain alert to ensure that the menace does not reach our doorstep.
“We citizens have to be very vigilant because drugs are now openly available all over Goa and it is not restricted only along the coastline. It has reached the hinterland and tomorrow it will reach our homes in the hands of our children. The future of our youth is at stake,” she said.
When questioned about former Siolim MLA Vinod Paliencar’s recent statement that he was aware of the names of drug dealers, Lobo said he should reveal those names to the police instead of speaking to the media.
“We are strictly against drugs. The chief minister has said that there will be zero tolerance for availability of drugs. We will see that police take strong action against it,” she said.
Loud music must stop by 10 pm: Delilah
MAPUSA:
Backing the concerns of locals on noise pollution, Siolim MLA Delilah Lobo said loud music should be stopped at 10 pm as per the law, but parties and music should be allowed in soundproof locations as Goa is a tourism state.
“Late night music and parties should be as per the timings set by the law. It should shut at 10 pm but we should also remember that Goa is a tourist State. If it is in a closed and soundproof place and if it does not disturb the neighbours, then we should allow it,” Lobo said.
Several citizens along the coastal belt have been complaining about noise pollution due to high-octane music played by shack and nightclub owners.
“We must understand that tourists who visit our State want some fun. But at the end of the day, locals should not get affected by loud music. It should be in closed areas,” she said.
