THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, Feb 21: A total of 19,086 acres of poppy crops have been destroyed in Jharkhand so far—four times more than in previous years—under an aggressive campaign led by DGP Anurag Gupta.
The highest destruction was recorded in Khunti, where 10,520 acres of poppy crops were eliminated. Ranchi ranked second with 4,624 acres destroyed, while Palamu saw the least destruction, with 396 acres cleared.
These figures were presented during a review meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Alka Tiwari, who stated that while the campaign against poppy cultivation is yielding positive results, the complete eradication of all poppy crops must be ensured. She stressed the need for stronger coordination among officers involved in the drive.
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Highlighting the low number of arrests compared to registered cases, she urged officials to maximize arrests and ensure convictions. She also called for a thorough assessment of the resources needed for the destruction process, assuring that all necessary support would be provided.
After receiving reports that poppy cultivation is still ongoing in some areas, she directed officials to continue the campaign until March 15. Officials noted that some areas still require action, and special drives are being conducted to address them.
Currently, eight districts in Jharkhand—Chatra, Khunti, Latehar, Ranchi, Palamu, Chaibasa, Saraikela, and Hazaribagh—are significantly affected by poppy cultivation.
283 Cases Registered, 190 Arrested
The review revealed that 283 cases have been registered, along with 958 FIRs, in connection with poppy crop destruction. So far, 190 individuals have been arrested.
During the meeting, DGP Anurag Gupta instructed officers to file FIRs against those involved in poppy cultivation based on action reports from the Forest Department. He noted that the department currently registers only encroachment cases, which is insufficient given the severity of the issue.
Focus on Public Awareness
Chief Secretary Alka Tiwari also stressed the importance of public awareness in curbing poppy cultivation. She emphasized the need to encourage farmers to switch to alternative crops, noting that in some areas, alternative farming initiatives have shown promising results.
To strengthen monitoring efforts, she directed officials to physically verify poppy cultivation sites and use satellite technology to map affected areas.
Officials Present at the Meeting
The review meeting was attended by:
- Home Secretary Vandana Dadel
- Agriculture Secretary Abu Bakkar Siddique
- Panchayati Raj Secretary Vinay Kumar Choubey
- IGs of concerned divisions
- SPs and DCs of affected districts