Panaji, Jan 8 (IANS) Like the proxy political battle over drugs in Punjab between the Akali Dal and the BJP, in Goa too the issue of narcotics and drug peddling is fast rousing political parties out of their post-New Year stupor.
Several U-turns by ruling party legislators and a minister appear to have exposed the will of the ruling BJP to take on the drug menace, especially after Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a battle against drugs in his radio address to the nation in December.
Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar, after declaring that he would shut down mega-scale EDM festivals if any suspicious activity or drugs were found at such events, lashed out at the deceased Isha Mantry, linking the death of the constume designer to binge-drinking, even before the post mortem examination.
"The Supersonic event shut down at 10 (p.m.). The incident happened at 11.30. What I know is that the girl was drinking alcohol till 11," Parulekar said, completely ruling out a drug overdose, as collectively alleged by the opposition.
Goa attracts three million tourists every year but is also known as a narco-tourism destination where drugs are available in plenty and cheap especially during the tourism season from October to March.
Not even Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar and Civil Supplies Minister Dayanand Mandrekar, both of whom hail from tourism-savvy coastal constituencies, have escaped the accusations and counter-accusations.
After Congress spokesperson Sunil Kawthankar publicly alleged they had allowed drug trade to allegedly flourish in their constituencies, Parsekar had asked the Crime Branch to probe the allegations against him and his cabinet colleague.
Kawthankar, who was summoned by the Crime Branch late Monday, told IANS that he has submitted a list of dealers and their phone numbers to the police.
"Mandrekar and Parsekar have been legislators of their areas for more than 17 years. There is heavy drug trade in their areas. Instead of calling those I have accused for questioning, they have summoned me for raising my voice against drugs," said Kawthankar, who also claimed he was under illegal police surveillance.
Bharatiya Janata Party legislator Micahel Lobo from Calangute constituency, which hosts the most popular beach stretch and night hotspots near Calangute, Candolim and Baga, claims that mainly Nigerians gangs are largely behind drug peddling, which has now led the Nationalist Congress Party to ask whether he was giving a clean chit to drug gangs.
"Every time he lashes out against Nigerian drug dealers, but not a word about the local drug dealers who operate in his constituency," NCP spokesperson Trajano D'Mello told IANS.
More than year ago, a gang war between a Nigerian pusher outfit and native narcotics gangs spilled in the open on Oct 31 after a Nigerian was murdered, allegedly by local drug dealers.
Angry Nigerians then blockaded a national highway by dumping the body of their dead compatriot on it for several hours and even thrashed policemen trying to get them off the road.
Added to this, with the Goa government refusing to act on an explosive legislative committee report exposing a police-politician-mafia linkages involving a former home minister and a police officer, whether Prime Minister Modi's call for a war against drugs may actually be translated into action in BJP-ruled Goa remains a question.
Three North Eastern States to Celebrate Statehood Day
Agartala/Imphal, Jan 20 (IANS) Three north-eastern states - Tripura, Manipur and Meghalaya - will celebrate their statehood day Wednesday, officials said Tuesday."On this day, the Manipur
In just three minutes of video call, Uber took away the job of 3700 people, said- today is the last day of your work
New Delhi. The Coronavirus Covid 19 crisis is becoming more acute now. Due to the closed economic activities due to the lockdown worldwide, companies have now announced spending cuts. This is why
Big shock to Arnab Goswami, Bombay High Court refuses to grant bail
Republic TV editor Arnab Goswami will still have to remain in jail. On Monday, he received a major setback from the Bombay High Court. The court has denied bail to Arnab Goswami, who was arrested in
Jackfruit: A Fruit, a Vegetable and Everything in between (Foodie Trail-Kerala)
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 26 (IANS) The one thing that anyone travelling across Kerala just cannot miss is the jackfruit tree as it is tall and well spread. On most occasions, one can see the
Rahul annoyed by ED's marathon questioning: Didn't go for a lunch break; Said - How long will the questions be, ask what you want to ask today
The ED's interrogation of former Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald case is not taking its name to an end. More than 50 hours of questioning have been done in five days and it
IPL 2022 Final GT vs RR: Hardik Pandya made Gujarat champion in the debut season itself, and IPL got a new winner
IPL 2022 Final GT vs RR: When Gujarat Titans were entered in IPL 2022, hardly anyone would have thought that this team would become the champion. Hardik Pandya was made the captain of the team, whose
Fog delays over 15 trains in Delhi
New Delhi, Feb 13 (IANS) At least 15 trains delayed and three rescheduled due to light fog in the morning here Friday, an official said."There was shallow fog in the morning and the visibility at
India, US to Resume talks on Bilateral Investment Treaty: Modi (Second Lead)
New Delhi, Jan 25 (IANS) India will resume its dialogue on bilateral investment treaty with the US as the economic growth in both countries is becoming stronger, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said
BJP will make narcotics jihad an issue in Kerala, the central government will talk to the heads of the churches
Recently, a bishop from Kerala had commented on love jihad and narcotics jihad. Since then, there has been a political uproar in the state. The central government can also intervene in this issue. On
Chhattisgarh: 22 soldiers who died in Bijapur Naxalite attack
In Bijapur, Chhattisgarh, the number of soldiers killed in an encounter with Maoists on Saturday has increased to 22. DG of Naxal operation Ashok Juneja has confirmed this to the BBC. A soldier is