The Goa police have started cracking down on drug trade, foreigners overstaying illegally and other such illegal activities said to be thriving along the North Goa coast.
The operation was ordered by Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar after a meeting he had with top officials, Ministers and a few MLAs of the ruling BJP on Wednesday.
Two special squads from the Anti-Narcotics Cell will go after drug trade in Calangute, where Nigerians are said to be active.
The Chief Minister’s order comes on the back of the Congress blaming BJP Ministers and MLAs for North Goa’s twin problems of drugs and foreigners overstaying beyond the visa period.
Inspector General of Police Sunil Garg told The Hindu on Thursday that the police have begun investigations into drug traders and intensified the drive against foreigners overstaying illegally and doing business and other activities in coastal North Goa in violation of visa rules.
Mr. Garg said an extra platoon was added to the anti-narcotics cell. Patrolling was being enhanced in areas where pubs and bars and parlours face complaints of drug abuse and of harbouring other illegal activities.
Mr. Garg said he had called a meeting of foreign tour operations to make them accountable for the tourists they bring in.
In 2013, nine foreigners were arrested for overstaying or doing business illegally, while in 2014 there have been 18 such arrests so far.
“We have already registered more cases and seizure of drugs has been much higher than last year,” said Mr. Garg.
On a demand from MLAs, the Chief Minister directed speedy setting up of a detention centre planned in Pernem for foreigners before they are deported for breaking visa rules or facing probes on other counts.
The government also directed the police to revive the erstwhile multi-agency squad started one each in North and South Goa by former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. The squads included the police, an official each from the RTO and the Tourism Department and would patrol and take action against foreigners illegally doing business and activities such as touting and taxi services.
