Thaindian News

Panaji, July 20 (IANS) The Goa assembly was adjourned twice Tuesday after opposition members stormed the well of the House demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the police-politician-drug mafia nexus here.

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, who refused to accede to the opposition demand, also had to face embarrassing salvos from several ruling members who joined in the chorus demanding a CBI probe into the nexus, in connection with which seven policemen have already been arrested.

Home Minister Ravi Naik’s son has been linked to Goa’s drug mafia by an Israeli newspaper.

“We are forced to think that the chief minister is protecting people involved in the drug trade. Why is he scared of giving the nexus case to the CBI?” Leader of Opposition Manohar Parrikar asked, before leading the opposition members to the well of the house.

“The chief minister is only giving assent to guilt by not handing over the probe to the CBI. Not accepting our demand for a CBI enquiry is an indirect indictment of the person concerned (involved in drug trade),” Parrikar said.

In the absence of the home minister who is currently hospitalised, Kamat while defending his decision also had to face some angry ruling bench members.

“This drugs nexus is a very, very serious matter. The future of Goan youth is in question. It has to be given to the CBI at any cost,” said Victoria Fernandes, a Congress legislator and the lone woman MLA in the 40 member house.

The House was adjourned after Kamat repeatedly refused to hand over the case to the CBI, leading to opposition members trooping into the well again, shouting slogans against the Congress party.