Police team destroyed opium cultivation
– Photo: Amar Ujala
Expansion
This time opium is being cultivated extensively at the behest of Naxalites in Gaya district of Bihar. However, opium cultivation in Naxal affected areas is not a new thing, because experts say that opium cultivation is an important part of the Naxal economy. Naxalites earn money by cultivating it in inaccessible areas and this sustains their economy. But this time opium cultivation is taking place much more. It is believed that after the prohibition of liquor in Bihar, smuggling of other drugs has increased. Opium is also a part of the same racket.
For the last several days, the police has been destroying opium cultivation in many areas of Gaya by running Operation Clean campaign against Naxalites and drug dealers. During this time, the police has claimed that this time opium cultivation in about 35.69 acres has been destroyed.
Gaya SSP Ashish Bharti said that the police had received secret information that opium cultivation was being done in dozens of hilly and forest areas including Dag, Khera, Fatuyadih, Barha, Chapawar of Sherghati sub-division. On the basis of this information, a raid was conducted in the Naxalite stronghold and opium cultivation in several acres of land was destroyed. He also said that the police are continuously conducting raids to arrest people involved in this illegal business.
The opium crop is ready in three months and this is the time for the opium crop to be ready. Opium is planted among the crops and its cultivation is done in a very secret manner. So that no one can notice. Apart from this, opium is also cultivated in areas where vehicular movement is not possible.