Adilabad Police Step Up Ganja Surveillance, Welfare Benefits Halted For 150 Acres
Recently, police seized 24 sachets from a person in Mahalaxmiwada in Adilabad town.
Adilabad:Adilabad police have intensified surveillance on ganja cultivation in interior villages, holding meetings with residents and conducting raids on farms where the crop is being grown. Police said the state government had stopped Rythu Bandhu and other welfare benefits for 150 acres on which ganja cultivation was detected, following their recommendations.
Police said they were focusing on cultivation, sale and illegal transportation of ganja amid concerns over drug addiction among youth and its alleged links to crime.
Investigations have also found cases in which Adivasi farmers who leased out their land were allegedly drawn into ganja cultivation without their knowledge. Some non-tribals were reportedly taking agricultural land on lease from Adivasi owners by offering higher rents and growing ganja on it. The landowners were then facing allegations of cultivation, while the tenants allegedly escaped scrutiny, police said.
Ganja plants have also been found on some lands covered by Recognition of Forest Rights (RoFR) pattas in hilly areas. Police said the crop was often grown as an intercrop in cotton or red gram fields, making detection difficult.
Dried ganja is reportedly sold in small sachets. Recently, police seized 24 sachets from a person in Mahalaxmiwada in Adilabad town.
Police have strengthened their village-level information network and are conducting raids based on tip-offs. Ganja plants have been seized in smaller quantities in interior areas of Ichoda, Sirikonda, Bela, Gudihathnoor, Neredigonda, Indravelli, Gadiguda, Narnoor and Adilabad rural mandals.
Adilabad superintendent of police Akhil Mahajan appealed to the public to share information about ganja cultivation, sales and illegal transportation through his WhatsApp number, 87112659973. He said the aim was to make Adilabad ganja-free and protect youth from addiction.
The SP said ganja addiction affected not only individuals but also society. He added that the village police officer system (VRO) had been strengthened to improve relations with residents and gather information about incidents in villages.
Mahajan presented rewards and appreciation certificates to Gadiguda sub-inspector Ramya and constables Rathod Bharath, as well as Adilabad Two Town sub-inspector Akhil, head constable Ramanaiah and constable Kranti, for their roles in raids and seizures of ganja plants and sachets.
Police are also urging residents of interior villages to support the installation of CCTV cameras.
