A Congress MLA Tuesday staged a protest in Shivpuri over the alleged increase in drug trafficking cases and betting on IPL in the area and called for stern action by police to check the rising illegal activities.
Congress legislator Kailash Kushwah along with party members and the local residents marched towards the police control room where the protesters chanted slogans against the government and demanded that government authorities take steps to curb the spread of narcotics and gambling networks in the area.
The protest has come against the backdrop of growing concerns regarding the purported spike in the use of smack and the introduction of IPL betting in Shivpuri district. Meanwhile, two recent incidents of registered suicides in Badarwas and Dinara were reportedly associated with financial losses due to IPL betting, adding to the calls for increased action.
Reacting to the protest, Yangchen Dolkar Bhutia, Superintendent of Police, assured the protesters that the police will undertake a special action against drug peddlers and illegal betting operators. She said that people who use drugs must be treated like a victim who needs help, but there will be strict punishment for people engaged in selling drugs.
A special complaint helpline number to submit information on drug trafficking and betting activities confidentially will also be released soon, the SP said.
Police officials stated that strong action would be taken on the narcotics and gambling rackets drives in the entire district while no one would be spared during the crackdown.