HYDERABAD: The pace at which the investigation is being done into the drug racket in the state is said to have irked a senior minister in the state cabinet. Highly placed sources said a cabinet minister called up a senior police official complaining about the manner in which the names of some educational institutions were being made public.
The excise enforcement wing’s Special Task Force had intensified raids to crack the whip on the drug modules. With the probe pointing towards some corporate schools and excise department even sending notices to them, the government is in a fix, sources said. Till date, the excise enforcement wing led has arrested 10 persons for supplying drugs to students.
Officials wrote to managements of schools and colleges asking them to take measures in motivating their students not to get addicted to drugs. Following this, the managements have reportedly approached a Cabinet minister and expressed their dissatisfaction over revealing the names of the education institutions. “The minister had called up a top official of the state police and asked the latter to rein in the director of excise department,’’ a highly placed source said. The minister does not want names of educational institutions to be made public as it will bring a bad reputation, sources said.
Kadiam threatens to de-recognise schools involved in drugs supply
The state government would de-recognise schools whose management are found guilty of having nexus with drugs mafia. Speaking at a review meeting with education department officials here on Thursday, deputy chief minister K Srihari said the government was very serious about peddling of drugs. “Do not give credit cards, bikes and smart phones to children,” Srihari advised parents. He directed the officials of education department to keep an eye on such activities. He said that all precautionary measures would be taken to prevent recurrence of such instances.
Officials get leads through call to toll free number
When a toll free number (1800-425-2523) was launched on Wednesday for people to give information related to drug supply, calls started pouring in from parents who wanted to know how can they know if their children are abusing drugs. They also wanted to know if their children’s names will be revealed. Officials said names of students or user will not be revealed nor cases would be registered against them. It is learnt that two leads were received through a call to the toll free number and they are being worked on.
SHRC seeks report on drug racket
State Human Rights Commission directed principal secretaries of state for medical, health and family welfare department and school education to take action with regard to the drug racket. Based on a petition filed by Balala Hakkula Sangham, it directed both departments to submit a detailed report on the matter by Sept 18.