A written note by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, asking ruling MlAs and Ministers to tone down their public criticism of the State police over alleged drug mafia linkages has triggered controversy in Goa, with the Congress accusing Parrikar of trying to censor MlAs from speaking their mind.
While the note also advises ruling camp MlAs, to pass on drug-trade related information to the Chief Minister’s Office for effective compliance, Naik claims that such an order was unwarranted and betrayed “fascist tendencies” of the ruling dispensation.
“But the CM writing a note restraining his MlAs from exercising their democratic rights of free speech is yet another example of fascism that the BJP Government in Goa seeks to implement through back door,” Naik told reporters here.
"It is surprising for the Chief Minister to issue a censorship order against his own MlAs restraining them from criticising the policemen in Goa vis a vis the drugs issue," Naik said.
Parrikar in his written note, had earlier said that unwarranted and sensationalist comments by the MlAs about the police-drug mafia nexus, was deteriorating the morale State police force.
"It has been observed that some of the MlAs are making public statements regarding availability of drugs and nexus between the drug peddlers and some police officials.
Such public statements lead to dampening of morale of police force, unwarranted sensationalism, dent in the image of the State and does not help us resolving the issue as criminals are made alert by such statements," Parrikar's note had stated.
Goa is one of the top beach tourism destinations in the country, however the State has also been a popular narco-tourism destination.
The death of several tourists, due to suspected drug overdose in the recent past has however attracted criticism of the State police, with even ruling MlAs and Ministers alleging a police-drug mafia nexus, much to the consternation of Parrikar, who holds the Home Ministry portfolio.
Parrikar now wants his MlAs to come to him directly with drug trade-related information promising them swift action.
"Given the sensitive nature of the issue and firm resolution of State Government to make Goa a drug-free State, it is requested that such information about drugs or related activities be brought to the notice of the undersigned, so as to jointly fight this menace," the Chief Minister has assured ruling MlAs.
"I assure you that due cognisance and strict action will be taken on every such issue brought to the notice of the undersigned," he has also said.
Naik however believes that such a blanket "censorship" of MlAs would be counter productive for the police.
"CMs order will be embarrassing to even police force which will not prefer an arbitrary protection of the type CM wants to give them, to the detriment of right of free speech of elected members," Naik said.