Claiming that steps were being taken to regulate the growing drug menace in the city, Home Minister G Parameshwara on Tuesday said that the government would not allow the state capital become ‘Udta Bengaluru’.
Replying to Pratap Chandra Shetty and Ivan D’Souza (both Congress) in the Legislative Council, Parameshwara chose to make a reference to Bollywood film ‘Udta Punjab’ which was a portrayal on the rampant drug abuse in the border state.
Citing the example of Punjab, BJP MLC Lehar Singh said that narcotic substances were being sold near schools, colleges and in star hotels and high profile pubs. Singh also said that Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had recommended capital punishment to drug peddlers following the rise in drug abuse deaths.
To this, Parameshwara said, “We will not allow Bengaluru to become ‘Udta Bengaluru’”.
Noting that drug abuse was a worldwide problem, Parameshwara said that there was a growing concern about the sale of drugs near schools, colleges and parks.
He said that police vigilance had been increased near schools and colleges following a case reported in Jayanagar. He said that strangers had lured school children in the area by giving free samples of toffees. From the third day on, the children started showing signs of addiction, which gave rise to a suspicion that the chocolates were laced with narcotic substances, he added.
Parameshwara also said that the police had gathered intelligence about the production of drugs by small-scale pharma companies in and around Devanahalli. He said that customs of ficials had busted a consignment of tablets worth Rs 5 crore at the Kempegowda International Airport.
Tejaswini Gowda (BJP) asked the government if it had ascertained the intent behind the mafia and that if it had associations with terror outfits like ISIS.
Intercropping
While Singh said that farmers were being influenced by drug peddlers to grow marijuana along with cotton, as both the plants looked alike, Shetty charged that ganja was being extensively grown in the forests and estates in the Western Ghats region.
He also said that forest officials had colluded with the mafia.
Steps taken
Parameshwara said that the Home department had taken several steps to check the drug menace.
Stating that offenders were being booked under the Goonda Act, Parameshwara added that the department had set up a helpline (1908) to receive information on drug abuse.