Don’t make sensational remarks on Goa’s drug situation, Manohar Parrikar tells MLAs

While the chief minister promised to investigate those named in this regard, he requested that information of the kind be kept under wraps in view of the “sensitive nature of the issue and the government’s firm resolution” to make Goa a drug-free state.

Chief minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday asked state legislators to refrain from making sensational comments regarding Goa’s alleged drug situation.

Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar vowed to take strict action against offenders if drug-related activities were brought to his notice.(PTI)

In a letter sent out to MLAs, Parrikar observed that “some legislators are making public statements regarding the availability of drugs and the nexus between drug peddlers and some police officers”.

While the chief minister promised to investigate those named in this regard, he requested that information of the kind be kept under wraps in view of the “sensitive nature of the issue and the government’s firm resolution” to make Goa a drug-free state. “Therefore, it is requested that inputs about drugs or related activities be brought to the notice of the undersigned, so as to jointly fight the menace,” he added.

The note comes a week after fisheries minister Vinod Palienkar alleged that he was being threatened by the drug mafia over a remark on banning rave parties in the state. “Such public statements dampen the morale of the police force, cause unwarranted sensationalism, dent the image of the state, and do little to resolve the issue,” he said. Publicising drug-related matters only serves to put criminals on their guard, he added.

Parrikar vowed to take strict action against offenders if such activities were brought to his notice.

However, state Congress president Shantaram Naik dubbed the note as an attempt by the BJP government to gag legislators. “We hold the Goa police in high regard and agree that unwarranted statements like these should not be made. However, this (note) amounts to curbing the freedom of speech of MLAs,” he said, alleging that Parrikar had no qualms about criticising the state’s law-enforcement agencies when the Congress was in power.