65 overstaying Bangladeshis, 16 Nigerians extradited from K’taka

65 overstaying Bangladeshis, 16 Nigerians extradited from K’taka

Home Min: Govt Acting Tough To Curb Drug Menace

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru:  09.12.2020

Sixteen Nigerians and 65 Bangladeshis, who were residing in Karnataka illegally, have been extradited to their respective countries in the last few months.

Replying to a question by Congress member Eshwara Khandre on steps taken by the government to curb drug menace, home minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday said the government is waging a war against drug peddlers and users, and has taken several stringent measures.

According to him, Nigerians involved in drug business were happy to be arrested as they would get a chance to continue their stay in the state despite the expiry of their visas. “The government, therefore, has decided to send them back to Nigeria. This is the first time so many Nigerians and Bangladeshis have been sent back to their countries,” he added.

Bommai claimed that a record number of cases against drug peddlers and consumers were booked ever since the BJP came to power last year. “In 2019, there were 1,660 cases. This year till now, 3,852 cases have been registered; chargesheets have been filed in 2,085 cases. The number of cases in 2017 and 2018 stood at 1,126 and 1,031, respectively,” he added.

Since the handling capacity of the forensic lab in Bengaluru was very low, there used to be an inordinate delay in narcotic tests. “We have upgraded the facility now and 51 samples can be tested at a time,” he said. Plans are afoot to upgrade forensic science laboratories in Kalaburagi, Mangaluru, Mysuru and Hubballi-Dharwad too.

'Drug seizure gone up'

The seizure of drugs, LSD strips and other narcotic substances has also gone up as police have stepped up vigil. “ This year alone, police have seized 5,049 strips of LSD, which is a record. Police have also been successful in tracking 21 darkwebs and arresting suppliers and buyers,” he said.

The minister claimed that as police have been building watertight cases, the accused are not getting bail easily. “A hacker, who was arrested recently, managed to get bail in two days when he was nabbed last time,” he added.

“The government is working on strengthening the rules under the NDPS Act. We’ve asked the national law school to prepare draft rules,” he added.

Khandre and Congress MLA Priyank Kharge alleged the home department is giving licences to recreational clubs in Kalaburagi and Bidar districts, which have been turned into gambling and betting dens.

BJP MLA Nagendra urged the government to curb hookah bars. Congress MLA Prasad Abbayya said in Hubballi-Dharwad, youngsters are using whitener available at stationary shops as drugs. “Not just whitener, French polish is also being used. The government is committed to curbing all sorts of drug menace,” Bommai said.