by ARES,
Daijiworld Media Network Goa
Panaji, Mar 9: Initiating a troubleshooting after much defamation by the media, Goa tourism ministry today asked the state home ministry to curb increasing drug trade flourishing on Goan shores.
"The coastal belt of Baga-Sinquerim, Anjuna, Morjim, Ashvem and Palolem have become hotbeds for drugs and narcotics ," tourism minister Fransisco Pacheco has said in a letter written to the home minister Ravi Naik on saturday.
The tourism minister today swung in action after intense media campaign in the wake of death of British teenager which has affected state's tourism industry, which is largest foreign revenue earner.
Pacheco, NCP legislator and minister for tourism in Digamber Kamat led cabinet, has also demanded the dismissal of police sub inspector Nerlon Albuquerque, who initially investigated the British teenager suspected death case.
British national Scarlette Eden Keeling, 15, was found dead on Goa's popular Anjuna beach on February 18 and her family had suspected rape and murder in the entire incident.
"I demand immediate dismissal of Nerlon Albuquerque and other police officers who tried to hush up the death of Scarlette as that due of drowning," Pacheco said.
The tourism minister demanded that the investigation be handed over to the crime branch.
The state tourism industry fears to face a set back after the bad publicity earned by the state following spate of crimes against foreigners. Goa, which receives four lakh foreign tourists, had registered assault and rape case on a UK lady last month.
Pacheco, who submitted the letter to home ministry, this afternoon, said that dubious and self motivated officers misguide the home minister. "I request you to be more vigilant so that such dubious officers do not spoil your name," the minister added.
The tourism minister also has pointed out that earlier last Thursday, he had discussed the matter related to Scarllette's death with the chief minister Digamber Kamat and home minister demanding immediate inquiry into the entire episode.