Corporators raise concern over drug abuse among city youngsters

Youngsters involving in anti-social activities such as eve-teasing and gambling are increasing, especially on the outskirts, as many are into drugs, complained corporators.

The corporators, irrespective of their parties, raised the common complaint at the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials' special council meeting in the Kempegowda hall on Monday.

They even narrated incidents where boys between the age group of 16 and 20s were involved in drugs usage in isolated areas and eventually harassed women.

"It is particularly difficult in the evenings to walk along the street which leads to the burial ground in my ward as young boys smoke ganja and tease women. I have experienced it myself and it is not safe for me to walk alone. Although I have raised this issue several times with the police, they have not taken proper action," said Deepa Nagesh, corporator, Sri Ram Mandir ward in Rajajinagar constituency.

"Youngsters are influenced by foreign nationals, especially those who come from African countries. These students live on the outskirts and indulge in drug activities. Although they come here for studies, they are in the business like selling ganja and other commercial activities. If the police keep an eye on them, we can bring down the criminal activities to some extent," she said.

Along with this, complaints against stationed vehicles in front of police stations were also raised in the meeting.

"These vehicles are stationed for years. This causes a lot of traffic jam," complained corporators.

They also said that the police officers refuse to take complaints if they find less than one kilogram of ganja.

Ram Nivas Sepat, deputy commissioner of police said: "A special drive is being conducted to remove all the vehicles parked in front of the police stations. We have also introduced 1908 as the toll-free number to complain about the drug abuse and similar complaints. We will keep a check to ensure the safety of women."

Threat calls

After a corporator was hacked to death last week in Hegganahalli, Imran Pasha, area councillor of Padarayanapura has alleged that he has been receiving threats to his life through SMS and calls.

DH News Service