THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, Feb 1: For the first time, Jharkhand police are intensifying their crackdown on opium cultivation across the state.
Under the aggressive campaign led by DGP Anurag Gupta, the police are not only taking strict action but also adopting softer measures to raise awareness among villagers about the consequences of cultivating and consuming opium.
In a unique approach, instead of using force, the police visit weekly village markets (haats) to inform locals about the legal repercussions of opium cultivation. As part of this initiative, they have distributed chocolates wrapped with pamphlets detailing the punishments for growing opium.
On Saturday, the police visited a market in Maranghada, Khunti, and handed out these chocolates to villagers.
Khunti: A Hotspot for Opium Cultivation
Khunti is among the worst-affected districts, where opium has become a major crop.
DGP Anurag Gupta has warned that strict action will be taken against police officers found supporting opium smugglers. Apart from Ranchi, the districts of Khunti, Hazaribagh, Latehar, Palamu, and Chatra have become fertile grounds for the opium mafia.
With support from villagers and some corrupt local police officers, the opium mafia has been cultivating opium in highly Naxal-affected areas. However, police have now launched daily operations, using JCB machines and tractors to destroy illegal crops hidden in forests.
The crackdown has been so rigorous that police are immediately destroying any fields where opium seeds are sown. In the last 20 days, over 200 acres of opium crops have been destroyed across Jharkhand.
Police Officers Under Scrutiny
Since illegal opium cultivation has continued with the help of corrupt police officers, the DGP has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against drug smugglers and has warned that no officer involved will be spared.
Police teams, under tight security, are entering forests and ravines daily, using tractors and JCBs to destroy three to four acres of opium crops each day.
Major Crackdown by Ranchi Police
On January 31, the Ranchi police carried out a massive operation, destroying 81 acres of opium across various police station areas:
- Bundu PS: 18 acres
- Tamar PS: 20 acres
- Dashamfal PS: 12 acres
- Rahe PS: 19 acres
- Angada PS: 4 acres
- Sonahatu PS: 2 acres
- Pithoria PS: 2 acres
- Namkum PS: 4 acres
Earlier on December 15, police destroyed 1.7 acres of illegal poppy fields in the Husirahatu forests under the Tamar and Dashamfal police station areas.
Manatu Police Take Action Against Illegal Cultivation
On Saturday, police in Manatu destroyed 1.5 acres of illegally cultivated opium on non-agricultural land in Tandwa Kushha Tola. This operation was a joint effort by Manatu Police, the Forest Department, and the Zonal Officer.
Anti-Opium Drive Expands Across Jharkhand
Khunti, known for its large-scale opium cultivation, is now seeing a major crackdown. Since December 16, police have been actively targeting illegal plantations, with operations set to continue as more opium fields remain undiscovered.
In Palamu, opium smugglers have suffered huge financial losses due to strict police action. Similarly, Hazaribagh police conducted a major raid on December 16, destroying 25 acres of opium crops in Chauparan.
With continuous police efforts, Jharkhand is now making significant strides in its fight against illegal opium cultivation.