BENGALURU: Is the city growing to be a safe haven for drug peddlers?
There is a rise in cases against youths peddling or consuming drugs.
During the recent BBMP council meeting, corporators from various wards pointed out that in many residential areas youngsters are smoking ganja and many police complaints have also been filed in this regard.
A senior police officer said they have ordered the jurisdictional police to intensify their patrolling in the areas.
“The problem has become rampant across the city and residents have complained that there is no proper police patrolling in residential areas. It is found that these youths staying in various parts of the city visit various residential areas to smoke ganja, as these areas are fairly deserted with little traffic and pedestrians.”
He added, “The residents have also mentioned that whenever they confront these youths, they threaten them and the residents are worried about safety of women and children in the area. Even WhatsApp messenger service is used to buy and sell drugs."
In 2016, 138 cases were registered and 305 people were arrested while in 2017, till November, around 318 cases were registered and 576 people arrested. There is an increase in cases and arrests made, which shows that the police are intensifying their search, a top police officer pointed out.
The officer mentioned that they will go in full force to combat this drug and ganja menace. Whenever people are found indulging in smoking ganja or consuming drugs, the public should come forward and inform the police, their identity will be kept confidential.
