Karnataka Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara,  yesterday said a special drive will be undertaken to rid State’s schools and colleges of drug menace. “We will not allow Karnataka to become ‘Udta Punjab.’  We have directed the Police to step up vigil near educational institutions and also create awareness on drug abuse,” Parameshwara told the Legislative Council. In the last two months, Police arrested 88 drug traffickers, including 23 foreign nationals.

Replying to Lehar Singh of the BJP, he said that the sale of narcotic drugs is rampant near professional colleges across the State. “The Police have found that petty shops in the vicinity of many of these colleges indulge in drug peddling. Though there are rules stating that tobacco should not be sold near schools and colleges, we have learnt that petty shops near educational institutions have been peddling drugs,” he added.

Between 2014 and 2017 (February), 31 cases of drug peddling have been registered across the State. “The Government is locating foreign nationals, who have been overstaying. So far, we have identified 1,023 foreign nationals who are overstaying in the State and of these, 59 foreigners have been deported,” he added.

“There is fear that the drug menace is becoming rampant. We will not allow Bengaluru to go the Punjab way. The government has taken it very seriously. All Station House Officers have been directed to visit colleges in their jurisdiction and educate students on the issue, besides taking strict action against peddlers,” he said.

The Minister said most of those indulging in drug trafficking are overstaying foreign nationals. The State Government has informed the Ministry of External Affairs in this regard, he added.

Lehar Singh accused the Government of being a mute spectator to the growing drug menace. An average of 12 cases of young children falling prey to the menace are reported at the National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru. The problem has prompted many schools in Bengaluru to advise parents to keep a watch on their children, he added.

BJP’s Capt. Ganesh Karnik who suggested that the Police should catch those involved in drug trafficking said that mere arrest of some peddlers will not solve the problem. The entire network has to be smashed. The peddlers are selling drugs online. Ramachandra Gowda of the same party said counter intelligence measures should be taken to root out the problem.