‘Give info on drug peddlers preying on schools, will act’

Porvorim: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday said that officers of the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) of Goa police will meet all legislators who have raised concerns over drugs being available at educational institutions in the state. He urged MLAs to provide information to ANC sleuths so that action can be launched against such peddlers.

During the discussion in the House, both ruling and opposition MLAs had expressed dismay at drugs being available at schools.

Sawant said that the conviction rate doubled in 2023 in the state compared to the previous years. He said a 33% conviction rate was achieved in 2023 compared to 16% the previous year.

In 2023, a 22% reduction in the crime rate and a 90% detection rate were achieved, Sawant said. Headded that state govt is working to increase the conviction rate in the state.

The chief minister said there is no shortage of govt advocates and that they are trained from time to time. He said that the DGP and the chief secretary are monitoring the disposal of cases and acquittals.

“I will give instructions to the DGP and the chief secretary to further monitor the acquittals and disposal of cases,” Sawant said.

He said state govt has started implementing the e-prosecution facility to boost the conviction rate. He said everyone has targeted Goa police during the demand for grants and that senior police officers are supervising the functioning of the department. “The ANC PI will personally meet the MLAs who have raised concerns over drugs at schools, and the MLAs should provide information to act against the dealers,” Sawant said. He added that Goa police are in touch with the police forces of other states to disrupt the drug trade and cybercrimes.

State govt will not tolerate drugs in the state, the CM said, adding that Goa police will strictly keep tabs on and act against drug dealers, whether they peddle ganja or synthetic drugs.

He said Goa police will be visible on the streets to reduce the crime rate. Moreover, he said, govt is focused on managing traffic, curbing accidents, and cracking down on drunk driving. “The latest technology will be used for traffic management in the state,” Sawant said in the House.

He said govt’s decision to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) for land-grabbing cases has stopped the illegal sale of land and 49 persons have been arrested in various cases. He also said that 93 unclaimed properties are with the SIT.