Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)
Bengaluru, Jul 14: A serious discussion was held in the state assembly on Friday, July 13 about the drugs cartel spreading its tentacles in the city and other parts of the state and the problems and devastation let loose by drugs abuse. At the end of these discussions, deputy chief minister, Dr G Parameshwara, promised to invoke provisions of Goonda Act to crush drugs menace.
The issue was raised in the assembly by former deputy chief minister R Ashok, and other BJP legislators. Parameshwar expressed the opinion that it would be better if the central government takes this issue in all seriousness and enact a law prescribing death sentence to drug traffickers.
The newly elected first time legislators from coastal Karnataka participated actively in this debate and came up with positive feedbacks and suggestions. Dr Bharath Shetty representing Mangalore (North) constituency felt that the laws are adequate but the police are being stopped from taking strong action against the culprits. He noted that the police act against drug peddlers only when someone files complaint, and because there is lobbying on behalf of the arrested persons, stringent measures are not taken to crush this evil. He urged the government to give free hand to police to handle this issue, and encourage them to create drug free zones within their limits so that they can work with enthusiasm.
Bantwal MLA, Rajesh Naik Ulipady, expressed happiness at the fact that the issue of drugs, which has been ruining lives of youngsters and which has strong presence in coastal districts, is being discussed in the house. Noting that without strong law, it would be difficult to rein in this problem, he blamed drugs as a major contributor to disturbances happening in Dakshina Kannada district on certain occasions. He wanted the minister to issue instructions to collect details of doctors who routinely prescribe drugs that are available in medical shops, and to hold regular counselling sessions in schools to regulate use of drugs.
Beltangady MLA Harish Poonja was also interested in take part in the discussions. But deputy speaker, Krishna Reddy, who was in the chair, did not permit him on account of paucity of time.
"Every police station in the state has a separate unit for identifying presence of drugs trade within their jurisdictions. We have held meetings with senior police officers and issued necessary instructions. We will also convene a meeting of college principals to discuss the issue of taking affective measures against drugs. At the same time, measures would be undertaken to identify foreign citizens overstaying their visa periods here, and to deport them to their countries," he said.