UDF claims CPI(M) behind drug mafia in Kerala

The Congressled UDF opposition on Wednesday accused the CPIM of being behind the drug mafias in the state after a vehicle belonging to one of its local members was caught smuggling pan masala worth around Rs one croreThe party member Shanawas was subsequently suspended by CPIM pending an internal enquiry against himIn the wake of the party decision Shanawas came to the fore and told the media today that he had no idea that the vehicle he had rented out was going to be used to smuggle pan masalaAlso read Jammu amp Kashmir Snow in higher reaches rains in plains push minimum temperature above freezing pointShanawas who is a municipal councillor and the chairperson of the Alappuzha Municipalitys Welfare Work Standing Committee said that he has been suspended pending an enquiry by the party into the allegations against himHe said that the charges levelled against him by the party were that he did not disclose purchase of the vehicle which was used in the illegal activity and he did not exercise proper caution while giving it out on rentHowever the party has not said I had anything to do with the smuggling of pan masala The party is looking into all aspects of the matter he told reporters in AlappuzhaKerala Fisheries Minister Saji Cheriyan said there is no evidence before the party that he was involved in the smuggling activityWe are looking into the matter as he is an area committee member But there is no evidence of wrongdoing by him A person has been appointed to carry out the internal enquiry Police are also investigating the matterHe has been suspended as being an area committee member he did not exercise proper caution while giving his vehicle on rent the minister saidShanawas claimed that he was an honest man who prays five times a day runs a legitimate business of laying optical cables for some telecom companies and therefore has no need for resorting to drug smuggling to earn a livingI do not need such sources of revenue The police are investigating it The party is also looking into it The party inquiry will be over within 90 days and my innocence will be proved and I will be back he saidOn the other hand the Congressled UDF opposition said that while the Left government runs a statewide antidrug campaign its own party members were allegedly indulging in such illegal activitiesLeader of Opposition in the state assembly V D Satheesan in a release alleged that Shanavas purported role in the pan masala smuggling indicates that CPIM leaders were behind the drug trafficking mafias in the stateHe further contended that the opposition had raised the issue in the state assembly last month as well as earlier and had demanded strong action against drug mafiasPan masala worth around Rs one crore was seized a few days ago from Kollam district of the state from a vehicle which was owned by ShanawasHe claimed before the media that he had recently bought the vehicle and had given it on rent to one of the accused on the basis of a recommendation by one of his acquaintancesBeyond that he had no connection with what had happened he said and added that he now realises he should have been more carefulOn being asked how he sees the reports about an ED probe being possibly launched against him based on complaints by some of his party colleagues he said that he has nothing to hide as he pays all taxes on timeHe said if he is proved wrong or guilty of any offence he would accept the consequences with open armsShanawas also said that actions of some individuals cannot be seen as that of the entire party and he accepts the decisions taken by CPIM in the instant caseHe however said that he regrets the fact that the party was embarrassed on account of his name being dragged into the controversyThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever