Goa NCP demands state Home Minister Naik''s resignation

Panaji, Jan 17 (PTI) The Nationalist Congress Party todaydemanded resignation of Goa Home Minister Ravi Naik alleginghis involvement in harbouring the drug trade in the state.

NCP Goa Unit President Surendra Sirsat said that theseries of exposes involving the policemen in drug trade haveleft the home ministry in the lurch.

"Naik is responsible for the mess and he shouldimmediately step down from the ministry," he said.

Briefing media persons in presence of party officebearers including legislator Fransisco Micky Pacheco, Sirsatsaid that the Congress minister should stop playing with thelaw and order in the state.

Pacheco said that Chief Minister Digambar Kamat shouldsack Naik and set an example before the people.

"NCP has been demanding that the drug nexus issue shouldbe handed over to CBI but government is averse to do so. Whyare they so much worried? Let the truth come out," the formerTourism Minister said.

"If Suresh Kalmadi was investigated within two months inthe CWG scam, if union minister Raja had to resign afterallegations of spectrum scam, then why is that the Congressadopting double standards when it comes to Goa," Pachecoquestioned.

Goa police and drug lord nexus was exposed last yearwhen Israeli drug lord Atala alias Yaniv Benaim was caught oncamera confessing about his links with the officers.

A year later, another Police Sub Inspector Sunil Guddlerwas caught on camera by two foreign girls when he tried tosell them charas.