The Karnataka legislative assembly on Friday discussed the spread of the drug mafia in Bengaluru, especially in schools and colleges, with Deputy CM G Parameshwara urging the Centre to enact a death penalty law for drug peddlers, as per a report in The New Indian Express (TNIE).
Parameshwara said more effective laws are needed to tackle the menace adding, “Many countries have far more stringent laws, with death sentence for drug peddlers. It is not possible to bring such a law in the state as it has to be enacted at the national level by the Union government. The Centre should take the initiative to bring such a law in consultation with state governments.”
The minister is reported to have said that they will strengthen the anti narcotics wing of the police and will be ordered to keep an alert watch on the areas where there are schools and colleges as well as bars and pubs.
The TNIE report states that drug peddlers will be booked under the Anti-Goonda Act.
“We will not allow Karnataka to go the Punjab way. We will not allow drug mafia to spread its tentacles in the state. There will be no compromise in this regard. I have already held a meeting with senior police officers and warned them of action if any lapses are detected in their jurisdiction in curbing the drug menace,” said Parameshwara.
BJP’s R Ashoka raised the issue of easy availability of narcotic substances like ganja and cocaine near prestigious schools in the city.
Setting up of special squads as well as imparting special training to the police and lawyers arguing cases against the drug mafia were also discussed in the meeting.