Boinda: Although law criminalises cultivation of Ganja in the country, the weed plantation on the hilly terrains in the dense forest is rampant under Thakurgada and Handapa police station in Angul district.
Without any prohibition, contraband traders of the district and inter-state ganja smugglers have turned the woods into their crime syndicate and farming is spread across acres of land.
According to reports, these ganja traders are luring local farmers by paying them off in doing a brisk business of smuggling the hemp without any barrier, as the plantation is done in remote areas.
There has been no intervention of the district administration and excise department, the peddlers and farmers have taken the hilly terrain as it grants safety and suitability for the illicit doing.
As the administration and excise department are not stepping forward to check the rampant plantation of ganja, the contraband traders along with local farmers are carrying out their business fearlessly, alleged locals.
Every year, ganja is being cultivated in the area. After some persons were arrested for cultivating Marijuana on tracts of private land, the peddlers are eyeing forest land owned by the government, sources said.
In 2014, 52.10 lakh ganja plants were soiled and six people were arrested during raids conducted by police and excise officials at areas under these two police stations. This apart, cases were registered against 31 persons for their alleged involvement in the crime.
In 2015, more than 59.20 lakh cannabis plants were destroyed and 10 persons were arrested. Besides, cases were registered against 25 persons.
Similarly, in 2016, 60.30 lakh ganja plants were set on fire and 12 persons were held while cases were lodged against 17 persons.
Again in 2017, over 30.39 lakh marijuana plants planted in the hilly terrain were destroyed and cases were registered against 13 people.
Some locals who were unwilling to reveal their identity informed that the contraband peddlers with the help of local peasants are cultivating ganja on tracts of land near canals and forest area.
Ganja plantation is reportedly rampant at Charakhaman, Baliamba, Gundurijharan, Hinjirida, Rajanpal, Purunapani, Kundali, Jaygada, Madhapur, Takba, Mamurijharan and Higirinala villages under Handapa police station and Bipradiha, Khalitaila, Kenjuanali, Kansab, Korab, Jhatikibahal, Laxmipur, Ghatitentuli, Rainali, Batrakhol and Hemamura villages under Thakurgada police station.
While the seeds were sown in March, the saplings have now grown up to flowering plants, reports said. Ganja will be harvested a month later. Therefore, the ganja traders are thronging to the area and residing at nearby houses taking them on rent, it was learnt.
On the other hand, police personnel are hesitating to conduct raids due to the movement of Maoists in Thakurgarh area over the last three years. Apprehending life risk, officials of the district administration are also keeping themselves away from the area.
Taking advantage of the anarchic situation, ganja traders are spreading rumours about movement of Maoists in the forest area during the plantation of cannabis trees.
Meanwhile, resentment has started brewing among the locals who have urged the police and excise department to take stern action into the matter and check the illegal cultivation of ganja at the earliest.
“We will soon identify the farmlands where ganja has been planted and take action accordingly,” Thakurgarh Police Station IIC Gabakhya Nayak said.
“We have warned the people for refraining from ganja cultivation. However, they didn’t. Now, we will identify the tracts of lands and destroy the plantation,” said Handapa Police Station IIC Daniel Kerketa.
PNN