Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth was giving a speech on Saturday 07 May at the Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations in Ebene. While speaking about multiculturalism in the country and unity, he denounced those he considers to be divisive and their participation in financing the latest riots along with the Mafia, who are frustrated by this record of drug seizures since 2014.
He spoke about the restrictions due to the pandemic that prevented the celebrations in the previous years and the sacrifices of the population since then. He also spoke about the values of Islam and his hope to relax the restrictions in relation to the evolution and improvement of the pandemic where socio-cultural organizations can then organize larger functions. He also touched on the recent increases and government support since the beginning of the pandemic as well as other government achievements in social projects. Pravind Jugnauth spoke about the presence of the Tasks Forces during the month of Ramadan and the Eid Ul Fitr celebrations. He recalled that “it is us who have provided these Tasks Forces to all communities” recalling that previously, the Task Force was present only during the celebration of Maha Shivratree.
Drug lords, mafia and attacks
He then went on to tackle the subject of drugs and their effect on families and society. He explained the enrichment of these ‘Drug Barons’ and their accumulated resources. “From 2014 till now, there is a record in seizures. Their taps are dry, so they are frustrated. This is what happened recently with the riots. They chose the time when I was on a mission abroad to create disorder in some parts of the country. This was set up by some politicians. It is scandalous. There are even videos where they proudly talk about having organized the riots. And I say, this was also financed by the Mafia and drug money. It wasn’t just small ammunition. They tried to blow up the Line Barracks. But I do my job well and these people will not scare me. I am very concerned.” He later spoke about the role of the Police in such disturbances where he deplored the fact that some people take advantage of such inflationary situations to create disorder in the country, thus jeopardizing progress in the country. He also returned to the proposal to stop development projects by integrating them into subsidies and countering the effects of global inflation. “This is not a solution, otherwise, other countries would have done it. We have already sacrificed other projects.”
Expanding on the case of the Slovakian, Peter Uricek, he spoke of the procedures following the discovery of this wanted person by the Slovakian authorities. “I am very happy that this issue is going to be discussed at the Parliament next Tuesday, this will be the second PNQ of the Opposition. I will not tolerate international drug traffickers in the country. We cannot accept being accused of being a country that tolerates the Mafia. We have recently come out of the Grey List of the Financial Action Task Force and that marks the joint work of the public and private sectors.” He reassured that as a lawyer, he would never go against the procedures.
He ended his speech by talking about the government’s efforts to counter the effects of Covid 19, the increases and inflation. The party was organized by several associations in Cote d’Or, Goodlands, Bois Pignolet, Poudre d’Or and the Al Madinah Society and was attended by members of the National Assembly.
