Panaji (Goa): Involvement of police in the drug trade, considering its tainted track record in the past, will not be tolerated by the department anymore. Director General of Police Muktesh Chander has warned to dismiss the personnel and/or officer found to be in nexus with the drug traffickers.
“I will not suspend or order departmental inquiry but directly dismiss the policeman policewoman from the service if they are hand in gloves with the drug mafia. There is a provision under section 311 of the Constitution of India wherein a khaki-man can be dismissed without suspension for serious offenses,” Chander said after a high level meeting with the department heads.
The State police had gone through major embarrassment in 2010 year when around 13 police officials including one inspector was arrested in the police-drug nexus. They were suspended but re-instated thereafter. Chander said he will not tolerate any such nuisance in the department. “I have declared war on drugs. If my police teams at any level fail to act against the drug menace, I will act against them too,” the police chief said.
The department is once again a mission to eliminate drugs from the State, particularly in the coastal areas which are frequented by the tourists. Over half-a-dozen drug raids have been carried out in the last 8 days. Similarly, a close watch is maintained on the late night parties in the coastal belt following allegations that these are drug-laced.
Two cabinet ministers Vijai Sardesai and Vinod Palyekar have asked the police to clamp down on drugs. Nearly three months ago, Palyekar had demanded complete ban on late night parties. Calangute MLA Michael Lobo is too vociferous on the issue demanding drug free Goa.
Chander has also urged the general public to come forward reporting drug offenses to the police. “We will keep their identity secret and also give suitable rewards,”he said.
Team TNV