Mumbai: Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday criticised the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), saying an impression is being created as if Maharashtra has become the hub of narcotics.
“An impression is being created as if there is a wave of drug trafficking in Maharashtra, as if drugs from all over the world are produced in Maharashtra, and only a special team can disrupt the racket. But that is not true.” said Thackeray. speaking virtually at the inauguration of the first wildlife DNA testing lab in Nagpur and three fast-trackIDNA testing units under the Nirbhaya scheme to test human DNA samples in Mumba. Pune and Nagpur forensic labs.
Thackeray said he is proud of Maharashtra and Mumbai police for their efforts at keeping the drug menace in check. “A few days ago, Mumbai police caught heroin worth Rs 25 crore, but because there was no heroine involved in it, no one spoke about it. No one knows the names of those policemen. We should felicitate them.” Thackeray said. He said the Maharashtra police is a strong, competent force, and strict action is taken against anyone who violates the law, without any leniency shown. Attempts are being made to tarnish this image of the Maharashtra police, and we have to stop these attempts.” said Thackeray.
The NCB has arrested several people, including actor Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan, in a drug bust case.
Meanwhile, state home minister Dilip Walse Patil said the state government is likely to table the final draft of the Shakti Act which prescribes stringent punishment for crimes against women and children in the upcoming winter session of the legislature in December.
Mamata Banerjee during her recent campaign for the Bhabanipur bypoll had hit out at the Centre for using Central agencies against Trinamool Congress (TMC) ministers and leaders. Her own nephew and TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee and his wife are being grilled by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Pinarayi Vijayan was hounded by the Central agencies over the gold smuggling case. One of the accused, after being released on bail, said that he was compelled to accuse several top politicians, including Vijayan. Now, Uddhav, whose Shiv Sena was till recently in alliance with the BJP, has joined the chorus. He says that the Centre is āhounding us and even our families through the I-T, ED and CBIā.
He even likened the BJP to a jilted lover throwing acid on Maharashtra. Several ministers in the Uddhav Thackeray government are being investigated by Central agencies, including former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh. Three senior Shiv Sena leaders are currently being probed by the Enforcement Directorate in different cases of alleged money laundering.
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