Should Home Minister G. Parameshwara Resign Over Karnataka's Drug Crisis?
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Bengaluru, Jan 31 (NationPress) The Karnataka chapter of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has insisted on the resignation of Home Minister G. Parameshwara, asserting that the police have inadequately tackled the escalating drug crisis.
BJP spokesperson M.G. Mahesh expressed disappointment, pointing out that Karnataka, particularly Mysuru and Bengaluru, is evolving into a hub for drug-related activities.
He demanded the prompt resignation of Home Minister G. Parameshwara and called for the suspension of the Mysuru Police Commissioner, accusing them of providing misleading information regarding the absence of narcotics during a raid in Mysuru.
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) recently dismantled a significant inter-state drug trafficking network and an illegal drug manufacturing facility in Mysuru, Karnataka. Authorities confiscated drugs worth around Rs 10 crore, cash amounting to Rs 25.6 lakhs, a Toyota Fortuner, and over 500 kilograms of chemicals.
Home Minister Parameshwara expressed disbelief at the NCB's revelations, stating that state police had informed him that nothing was seized during the raids. He committed to reassessing the situation.
Mahesh urged the Congress-led administration to take assertive measures to eradicate drug activities in Karnataka.
Mahesh claimed that the law and order situation in the state has significantly worsened.
He highlighted that the National Crime Bureau has consistently reported incidents of drug manufacturing and distribution across Karnataka. He noted that police from Gujarat and Maharashtra have recently shut down drug factories in Mysuru and Bengaluru.
He mentioned that while the Gujarat Anti-Drugs Bureau continues its investigation, another drug manufacturing site in Mysuru was raided on Saturday, ceasing production and resulting in the arrest of four individuals.
He asserted that the Narcotics Crime Bureau in Surat has confirmed the raid. Despite this, Mahesh alleged that the state government is attempting to cover up these incidents.
Mahesh accused the Home Minister of misleading the public regarding the materials seized from the drug facility.
He also claimed that Mysuru Police Commissioner Seema Latkar misled the public by stating that no illegal substances were found during the raid. He expressed deep concern that Mysuru Rural police later recovered opium worth crores from the homes of the accused's relatives.
Mahesh criticized the government, stating that the ongoing drug trafficking incidents and an “ineffective” Home Minister have led to a collapse in law and order.
He asserted that the Congress government’s mismanagement has transformed Karnataka into “Udta Karnataka,” with drug trafficking adversely affecting the youth. He further claimed that incidents of murders, extortion, crimes against women, and failures in law and order are on the rise, reflecting poorly on the current administration.