JOIN USDistrict In-charge Minister B Ramanath Rai denied allegations by MP Nalin Kumar Kateel that the illegal drug peddling is on the rise in Dakshina Kannada from the last four years. Rai lambasted the opposition parties for adding political colours to the problem.
He was addressing reporters after a higher level meeting with the Revenue, Excise and Police department officials at Circuit House here on Thursday. He said the illegal drug menace has been there in the district for more than 10 years. “The MP’s remarks that the senior leaders of Congress are behind drug peddling is totally false. He may be speaking on the basis of experiences in his own party, which was in power in the state earlier. The current government does not support drug peddlers, nor anyone from the government is involved in illegal drug trafficking or sale,” Rai said.
He meanwhile requested all political parties to join handling in warding off the drug menace from the district, instead of politicising the issue.
Directions have been issued to the district administration, Police department, assistant drug controller and Excise department to conduct meetings periodically towards the control measures of drug menace.
City Police Commissioner T R Suresh said that primary investigations on Zubair’s murder suggest that the murder is not connected with illegal drug trafficking, but has to do with personal vengeance. However, it has been found that the accused were in an inebriated state due to intake of liquor, while carrying out the crime.
The medical shops have been instructed not to provide medicines without the prescription. Control measures have been taken by the police as well as by the assistant controller of drugs towards the same.
The heads of various educational institutions have been asked to keep an eye on their students and inform the police departments in case of suspicious activities.
During road accidents, the drivers are subjected to medical tests so as to check the intake of any intoxicating drugs, he said.
During last year, a case related to drug peddling has been attached to Goonda Act. One repeated offence was registered last year and four repeated offences have been found this year so far.
A list of drug-addicts is also drawn and cases are registered on them.
A separate police station has been started under Economics Offenses and Narcotics Act and one inspector has been posted. Such police stations will be opened in every district.
Additional DC Kumar, IGP (Western Range) Hemanth Nimbalkar, DCP (Crime and Traffic) Uma Prakash and Superintendent of Police Sudhir Reddy were present.