Govandi residents demand crackdown on drug cartels after murder of 17-year-old boy; launch ‘Drug Free’ initiative

Mumbai: Following the shocking incident of a 17-year-old boy being murdered with a sword in Govandi, residents are demanding an end to the illegal drug cartels operating in the area. The residents of Govandi claim that an organised gang of drug dealers is behind the murder and have started an initiative to demand a drug-free Govandi.

Earlier this month, a video of Ahmed Pathan (17) being murdered with a sword in Govandi city shocked the city. Pathan was attacked by three people, including minors, on a busy road. On August 13, a video of the attack surfaced on social media, showing one of the suspects attacking the minor boy with a sword, who was lying on the road in a pool of blood.

Pathan succumbed to his injuries after which the police arrested three minors involved in the crime and later Hafizullah Khan and his wife as additional suspects. The residents have alleged that Khan was involved in drug supply and was known to involve minors in the illegal activities. A local Corporator also demolished Khan’s house, alleging that it was a place of drug distribution.

However, the murder of a teenage boy has angered residents who have previously protested against the illegal drug trade in the area. Apart from joining the victim’s family to demand justice, the Govandi Citizens Welfare Forum is demanding immediate restrictions on the illegal activities.

Shaikh Faiyaz Alan, Chairman of GCWF, said: “The biggest problem facing the Govandi community today is drug abuse. Some known drug dealers have turned Govandi into a hub for drugs and are also involving minors in the business. Ahmed was also killed because his elder brother had repeatedly blown the whistle against the drug dealers. This is the lawlessness in Govandi, if you raise your voice against something that is grossly illegal, they turn against you.”

Under the initiative ‘Drugs Free Govandi’, launched by the civic association, residents organised a rally to create awareness against drug abuse in the community. The residents also started social media campaigns with template posts of ‘All Eyes On Govandi’ and ‘Stop Genocide By Drugs’ that people could share on their social media.

On Saturday, the residents and civil society organizations working in the area organized a meeting to draw up a roadmap to bring about the desired change. Various organizations presented their plans to make youth aware of drug abuse and also to make law enforcement agencies accountable to take action against drug traffickers.

“There has been no anti-drug raid in Govandi by Narcotics Control Bureau and Anti-Narcotics Cell of Mumbai Police for a long time. Police usually arrest drug users and peddlers go away without any action. We demand no mercy for drug peddlers to eradicate the evil that has spread in the society,” Shaikh added.