Bonai: The spread of illegal poppy or opium cultivation across forests and remote areas of Sundargarh district and other parts of the state has raised concerns, with reports alleging possible involvement of unscrupulous officials.
Excise offi cials Wednesday destroyed an illegal poppy plantation spread over 3 acres of forest land in the Gurundia police station area of Bonai sub-division in Sundargarh district.
The estimated value of the seized crop is about Rs 42 lakh.
No arrests have been made so far. Observers said that despite frequent crackdowns by police, excise and forest officials, the illegal cultivation continues to expand.
They alleged that the cultivation on forest land going unnoticed by excise and police personnel is normal, as the areas are not under their jurisdiction.
They participate in any raid only when they are called for.
However, it is different in the case of forest personnel.
They questioned how the illegal activity goes unnoticed during routine forest patrols and alleged possible collusion between some forest personnel and the opium mafia.
Officials have not responded to the allegations.
Acting on a tip-off about opium farming in the Pankadihi-Jada area under Gurundia police limits, a joint team of police and excise officials conducted a raid Wednesday morning.
More than 42,000 poppy plants were destroyed in the presence of Gurundia’s additional tehsildar, who acted as the magistrate.
Officials said the plants had matured and were close to bearing fruit. Earlier, illegal cultivation over 5 acres had been destroyed in Koida.
Two people were arrested, though one later escaped from custody, leading to the suspension of three police personnel.
