In his reply in Lok Sabha on drug abuse problem in India, Union home minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said that the Narendra Modi government has a zero-tolerance approach in addressing the problem.
Emphasizing that the drug problem will be brought under control in two years as the government has the whole problem mapped out, Shah called for greater cooperation from the states. He said the Border Security Force was integral in the fight against narco-terrorism but it doesnโt have the right to register a case.
Highlighting BSFโs role in seizing drugs, Shah said, โBorders are the responsibility of Central govt, but when we give rights to BSF, itโs said that rights of states are being taken, now how will BSF work there? BSF seizes drugs but doesnโt have the right to file a case, those politicising this issue are promoting drug trafficking. Agencies canโt work without rights, they have to be given rights. We should show faith in our agencies,โ he added
Shah called for greater collaboration between the investigating agencies and the states to outsmart narco-terrorists. โNCB can conduct probes across the country. NCB is ready to help each and every state if thereโs a need to do an inter-state probe. Even the NIA can help the states if the probe needs to be conducted outside the country,โ he said.
โIn the year of Azaadi ka amrit mahotsav, Prime Minister Narendra Modiโs goal is to have a nasha-mukt bharat,โ Shah said, speaking on the floor of the lower house.
He praised the leaders who spoke on the issue, specially mentioning Shiromani Akali Dalโs Harsimarat Kaur without politicising the issue.
Calling money gained from drug peddling as dirty money he said, โThose countries promoting terrorism in our country are using the profits from drugs for the same. The presence of this dirty money also gradually hollows our economy,โ Shah said in the Winter Session of the Parliament, urging states and UTs to come together to fight the drug menace.
โWe need to stop the entry of drugs through borders, ports and airports. Revenue dept, NCB and anti-narcotics agencies have to work against the menace being on the same page,โ he added.
Shah said that the BJP government was mindful of the fact that those who are addicted to drugs are victims and instead of punitive actions, the system should provide them with ways to rehabilitate. โOur governmentโs policy is very clear, those consuming drugs are victims, we should be sensitive towards them and give victims a conducive atmosphere for their rehabilitation. But those involved in drug trafficking should not be spared.โ
โDrugs are coming from gulf countries, and people involved in it have been arrested while factories have been sealed. On the basis of this, raids were conducted in 12 states & people were arrested there too,โ he added.
