A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi charged that drug distribution was rampant in Tamil Nadu, State Law Minister S. Regupathy on Tuesday said that Gujarat, Mr. Modi’s home State, had become a haven for smuggling of narcotic substances.
Addressing journalists in Nagercoil, Mr. Regupathi said, “Mr. Narendra Modi’s Gujarat coast and the ‘Divine Dwarka’ has become haven for smuggling of drugs worth thousands of crores of rupees into the country. While allowing it to happen in Gujarat by privatising airports and the harbours, Mr. Modi is accusing Tamil Nadu which is a ‘land of peace’ with a stable government. The Union government’s Narcotics Control Bureau, which should weed-out drug smuggling, is unable to do it. However, for political mileage and with an eye on election, Mr. Modi is accusing Tamil Nadu unnecessarily. Is it Modi formula? The Tamils will never tolerate it.”
According to him, the State government had in fact intensified its war against drugs after Chief Minister M.K. Stalin assumed office. He had chaired a meeting of top police officers to eradicate narcotic substances. After the issue of uncontrolled supply of ganja from Andhra Pradesh was raised in the DGPs’ meet, cannabis grown on over 6,000 acres in the neighbouring State was destroyed.
