Goa's 'drug-prone' beach villages under surveillance: Parrikar

Panaji, Aug 13: The "drug-prone" beach villages of Goa are being kept under surveillance "to create a strong deterrent impact against the drug activities" there, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Wednesday.

"To create a strong deterrent impact against the drug activities in the drugs-prone areas like Calangute, Baga, Anjuna, Vagator, Chapora, Arambol, Colva Palolem and Majorda, these beach areas are kept under continuous surveillance," the chief minister said in a written reply to the Goa assembly.

He also said that bars, restaurants and shacks along the drug-prone coastal belt are subjected to surprise checks to keep tabs on possible drug trade, while a watch is also maintained on suspected drug dealers.

"Watch is also being maintained on the lodges in Mapusa, Panaji, Margao, Vasco and lodges which are situated near railway stations and bus stands for suspects arriving in Goa with consignment of drugs," Parrikar said.

He added that 182 cases have been registered in the state under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act over the last three years.

Goa is one of the top beach tourism destinations in India, while its coastline is also known for narco tourism. The state attracts three million tourists annually, out of which half a million are foreigners.

IANS