The Congress party in Gujarat has intensified its campaign against the narcotics trade, staging public rallies and submitting formal demands to district administrations for immediate action. The party has set a strict 15-day deadline for the government to conduct raids and file cases under the NDPS Act.
Rallies and Demands for Immediate Action
On Wednesday, November 27, 2024, the Congress organized significant rallies in the Tharad and Patan districts. The demonstrations were held to express solidarity with party MLA Jignesh Mevani and to amplify the demand for a crackdown on the sale, distribution, and consumption of drugs and illegal liquor in the state.
During the protests, party members submitted detailed representations to the respective district collectors. Their key demands include:
- Conducting raids in Vav-Tharad and Banaskantha districts by the Special Anti-Narcotics Cell within the next 15 days.
- Arresting and registering cases against all drug peddlers under the NDPS Act-1985.
- Taking strict action against sellers of illegal liquor and drugs under the Gujarat Prohibition Act.
- Increasing police patrols to constantly monitor the sale of narcotics within a 200-meter radius of schools and colleges.
- Instructing Taluka Development Officers and Mamlatdars to organize monthly awareness programs in every village.
Alarming Rise in Drug Abuse
The Tharad rally was spearheaded by Banaskantha District Congress Committee President Gulabsinh Rajput and Congress MP Geniben Thakor. In his representation, Rajput highlighted a grave concern. He stated that the sale and consumption of narcotics have been increasing at an alarming rate in the villages of Vav-Tharad and Banaskantha districts over the last two to three years.
"Especially the youth and teenagers in the age group of 15 to 30 are falling prey to this addiction, due to which many families are being financially and mentally devastated," Gulabsinh Rajput said. He further alleged that despite repeated written and verbal complaints to local police stations and the Palanpur Superintendent of Police, no significant action has been taken, allowing the drug trade to flourish fearlessly near educational institutions, bus stands, and public areas.
Political Backing and Condemnation
The protests also served as a show of strength in support of MLA Jignesh Mevani, who has been a vocal critic of the police's inaction. Ghemarbhai Rabari, the President of the Patan District Congress Committee, used the platform to condemn the state government.
"With the aim of defaming an honest, fearless, hardworking and non-corrupt MLA Jignesh Mevani, this government and the senior officials of the police department have made the junior employees and their families join hands to protest and damage his reputation. We condemn it. And we are always with Jignesh Mevani," Rabari asserted in his representation. He issued a warning, demanding the immediate closure of drug, alcohol, and gambling dens in Patan district, threatening legal action alongside Mevani if the demand is ignored.
This political mobilization comes in the wake of earlier massive protests that were orchestrated against Mevani. The backlash was triggered after the MLA publicly criticized the police, claiming they were "not working" and that liquor sales were rampant in the region. During the Congress’s Jan Aakrosh Yatra in Dhima village on November 22, Mevani had even talked about "stripping off their badges," including those of senior police officers.
