Hyderabad: Chief Minister, K. Chandrashekar Rao, made it clear on Friday that the government would not arrest movie figures in drug cases. The research team would consider them as victims.
The NDPS Act says that addicts are also charged and may be held responsible, but Mr. Rao asked officials not to pursue film personalities.
Rao said at a review meeting of senior officials that the special tax enforcement department had identified 12 people from Tollywood. “We do not consider them accused, but victims. Drug trafficking and selling is a crime but consuming it is not,” he said.
“By questioning these people, the research agency will receive information on street vendors and suppliers,” he said.
Film actors are victims, will not be arrested: KCR
“Based on their statements, the SIT will be able to make arrests and make incursions,” he said.
“So far, research has revealed that moviegoers were only using drugs and not selling them. If it is proven that they are selling drugs, we will file cases against them.” Not only Tollywood people but also drug addicts of all ages. Sectors as victims, “he said.
The Chief Minister spoke in a review of ongoing drug cases with Police Director General Anurag Sharma, Hyderabad Police Commissioner, M. Mahender Reddy, Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise Dr R.V. Chandravadan, intelligence IG Naveen Chand, security IG Mrugesh Kumar Singh, director of excise enforcement Akun Sabharwal, joint commissioners of police Shahnawaz Qasim (Cyberabad) and Tarun Joshi (Rachakonda).
The Chief Minister also explained to officials that the Task Force had detained 22 persons, including two foreigners, in connection with drug cases. “We are only using the statements of drug addicts as clues to capture the main accused.” We have identified that drug traffickers are getting drugs from Portugal, Nigeria, the Netherlands, Colombia and other countries.We have names of some key people who are involved in trafficking of drugs “.
Mr Rao said: “We are not targeting the film industry alone. There is no truth of the drug culture in the information technology sector.”
He said the state government had targeted the drug culture in its initial stages and was working to control it in Hyderabad. “The allegations circulating that drugs are on the rise in Hyderabad are false. The state of Telangana ranks first in financial growth, development and law and order, and the government is focusing on eliminating social unrest,” he said. He said.
“Our goal is to close all drug routes from the points of entry into TS.” Telangana state is not on the list of drug-intensive states in the country. Our goal is to close the drug business, illicit liquor, hookah, gambling, eve, adulteration, counterfeit products and social upheaval, “Rao said.
