How Did Security Forces Destroy Ganja Plants Worth Rs 108 Crore in Tripura?
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Agartala, Jan 4 (NationPress) In a significant crackdown, security forces in Tripura have eradicated over 23 lakh ganja (marijuana) plants with an estimated value of Rs 108 crore during two separate operations in the Sepahijala district, as reported by officials on Sunday.
A representative from the police stated that the joint efforts of the Tripura Police, Tripura State Rifles (TSR), Border Security Force (BSF), Forest Department, and Excise Department resulted in the destruction of these illicit plants spread over 414 acres of mountainous terrain in Sepahijala district.
“As part of the ongoing anti-narcotics initiative, these illegal ganja plants were eliminated in the Anandapur and Ghatigarh forest areas over the past three days,” the police official explained.
In the same timeframe, several lakh more illegal ganja plants were also destroyed in other areas, including South Tripura and Khowai.
On December 27, TSR personnel executed a special operation in the Kuli Basti forest area near Machmara Tea Garden, where approximately 15,000 to 17,000 mature ganja plants across eight plots were destroyed.
The operations against narcotics were spearheaded by the District Superintendent of Police and the Additional District Superintendent of Police.
Several individuals connected with the illegal cultivation have been apprehended under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
The police representative remarked that the dry ganja produced in Tripura is primarily smuggled to various states, including Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, where it commands a higher price.
During transit, shipments of dry ganja are frequently confiscated from both trucks and passenger trains. Local residents, including women, have claimed that they cultivate ganja in hilly and hard-to-access regions as part of their means of livelihood.
It has been discovered on numerous occasions that forest land and other government properties have been illegally occupied for cannabis cultivation.
He further stated that the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 prohibits any person from cultivating, possessing, selling, buying, or consuming narcotic and psychotropic substances.
Violating these provisions can result in severe penalties, including hefty fines and imprisonment for up to 20 years.