Boipariguda: Erstwhile undivided Koraput, once known for its natural beauty, scenic spots, tribal language and culture, has recently gained notoriety for ganja cultivation and its smuggling.
Tourist footfall from other states to the district has receded significantly after cannabis mafia started camping here. Apart from ganja smuggling worth crores of rupees, illegal firearms have also sneaked into the district, robbing it of its pristine peace.
Earlier, tribals of Malkangiri district used to cultivate marijuana on hilly terrains clandestinely for consumption in local market. Some of the Bengali refugees and small traders used to smuggle out ganja in buses. Many of them were caught.
Ganja smuggling, however, has gone up exponentially after Maoist activities started flourishing in the district. Locals blame involvement of unscrupulous policemen behind the spike. A case in point: The then superintendent of police (SP) had suspended an officer of Laxmipur police station in Koraput district for his alleged links with ganja smugglers. Similarly, an employee of IRB battalion was suspended for his alleged involvement in ganja smuggling. Besides, many among the arrested have come out as relatives of local home guards.
According to rules, the seized contraband should be weighed at the place of its seizure in the presence of a magistrate. However, in most cases, the magistrate is there only for the sake of his duty, said an official. He also alleged in most cases the quantity of ganja seized and shown on record is different. So is the case, if the accused is arrested.
Besides, the cops suppress these incidents from the media in an attempt to reach a deal with the smugglers by exerting pressure on them. Most cases are settled outside the police stations. The smugglers are projected as robbers, making it easier for them to get bail. It is only when a deal cannot be reached; the smugglers are forwarded to court after filing a complaint on a later date.
Most of the marijuana from the area is smuggled out of Malkangiri district through routes that come under Boipariguda and Lamtaput police limits. However, only 10 per cent of it is seized. These days, ganja cultivation is also being taken up in Lamtaput and Boipariguda areas.
A few months ago, police in the presence of a magistrate, destroyed a huge quantity of ganja cultivated at Bankuli under Boipariguda police limits. However, this has not been enough of a deterrent for the ganja mafia.
According to locals, the daily labourers here have to wait for months to get their wages for the work they do under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). On the other hand, the mafia offers them Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 a day to carry the consignment through treacherous terrain until it reaches a safe destination.
Local students and young men, meanwhile, are falling prey to ganja smuggling. In local markets, betel shop owners can be seen selling ganja-filled cigarettes at high prices without any fear.
It is alleged that these businesses are flourishing with the very knowledge of the police. While the smugglers do get caught intermittently, no significant action is taken against ganja cultivators, local businessmen and the owners of houses where the contraband is stored. Despite heavy presence of security personnel in Maoist-infested areas, ganja cultivation is yet to be rooted out.
PNN