With members cutting across party lines expressing serious concern over the alleged increase in substance abuse among the youth, Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Tuesday announced that 38 additional stations were being set up to counter narcotics cases and cybercrimes.
Replying to a call attention notice by Congress member Ivan D’souza, Mr. Reddy said three narcotics cells were being set up in Bengaluru, Mangaluru and Belagavi to check the increasing cases of substance abuse. Steps would also be taken to ensure that narcotics were not available in the State by breaking the supply chain.
The Minister said he had directed the police to book cases against all those involved in the supply chain. Even farmers involved in the cultivation would be booked under the Goonda Act.
ADVERTISEMENT
Earlier, Mr. D’souza referred to the increasing number of cases of substance abuse being reported in the State, particularly in the cities which share borders with other States.
He said according to the data available Bengaluru, Mangaluru and Shivamogga occupied first three positions in terms of number of narcotics cases and the drug abuse was rampant in places having more student population, paying guest accommodation and illegal homestays. He said the influence of narcotics was also responsible for crimes in the recent years, and sought a stringent law to check the menace.