Assam Police Destroys Rs 27 Crore Worth of Poppy Cultivation in Goalpara

GOALPARA: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma revealed that around 170 bighas (over 56 acres) of poppy cultivation which is estimated to be worth more than Rs. 27 crores were destroyed by Goalpara Police on Sunday.

In a post on X, the Chief Minister stated, "Dear Local Pablo Escobars, Sorry to spoil your planned Udta Assam party! Because @Goalpara_Police destroyed 170 Bighas of poppy cultivation in the Char areas worth Rs 27.20 crore in January."

A video of the poppy cultivation being destroyed by a tractor in the presence of the police was also shared by CM Sarma.

In Assam, several remote Sar areas are notorious for illegal activities such as poppy cultivation, timber smuggling, and operating illegal sawmills. The Goalpara district administration recently destroyed poppy crops on 40 bighas of land in Sonari Sar, continuing efforts that have also targeted large cultivations in Shialmari in 2021 and 2023.

Poppy cultivation was first discovered in the region in 2010, and despite periodic destruction of crops, the practice persists due to its profitability. Rackets from outside the state take advantage of the area's remoteness, collaborating with local residents to cultivate poppy, often under the guise of floriculture.

Many locals remain unaware of the crop's true nature. Additionally, illegal timber smuggling remains a significant problem, with smugglers using the Brahmaputra to transport logs to sars, where illegal sawmills operate. The difficult terrain and lack of security hinder enforcement efforts, making it challenging for authorities to tackle these crimes effectively.

Also Read:

Also Watch: