Home minister sets August 15 deadline to curb drug menace

MANGALURU: Home minister G Parameshwara set a deadline of August 15 for the police to curb the drug menace in the region.
The minister, after holding a review meeting with top officials of the Western Range comprising Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada and Chikkamagaluru police units and Mangaluru city police, expressed confidence that the officers will work towards eradicating the menace by identifying peddlers, consumers and the supply chain, to put an end to the drug menace.
“The police will carry out a drive in Mangaluru and surrounding areas, against drug peddlers and consumers,” he told reporters on Tuesday. He requested students and the public not to fall prey to the drug menace and other illegal activities like matka and gambling. He sought the cooperation of the youth to create a good environment. “Mangaluru is referred to as an education hub, and there is a need to bring back the past glory of the place by creating a conducive atmosphere,” he said.
Compensation for victims
The home minister said that there was a demand for compensation for the family of victims of six to seven communal murders, including that of Masood, Deepak Rao, Fazil and Jaleel.
“A proposal will be sent to the government, seeking the release of compensation for the families of the victims,” he said.
To a query on allegations that cases under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) were not registered against the accused involved in all communal murder cases reported in the district, Parameshwara said that the cases are being heard in the court.
“If the court directs to do so, then cases will be registered,” he said. On shifting of the SP’s office to Puttur, the minister said that the issue will be discussed, and will be taken to its logical end within the framework of the law.
On minister MB Patil’s demand to set up a new helpline called ‘Peaceful Karnataka’ to check hate crimes in the state, Parameshwara said that the Congress’ manifesto was titled ‘Sarva Janangada Shanthiya Thota’ (Peaceful garden for all communities), and that they want to restore peace in the state. “I will speak to MB Patil on the context, and how to take it forward,” said the home minister.
On the PSI scam, the home minister said that the stay has to be vacated in the case. “In the meantime, we are in discussion with the advocate general, based on which a decision will be taken,’’ he said. He said that the department will also look into the re-investigation of the Bitcoin scam.