Massive Ganja destruction drive continues across Sepahijala district; CM commends police action

In an effort to curb illegal cannabis cultivation, the Sepahijala district police, along with other security forces, have intensified their operations over the past fortnight; destroy lakhs of ganja plants from hundreds of acres of forest land.

Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, through a social media message, praised the ongoing operation, stating:

“Commendable effort… A massive strike has been carried out against illegal ganja (cannabis) plantations in Sepahijala District, Tripura. The Government of Tripura remains firmly committed to building a #NeshaMuktTripura in line with Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s vision of a drug-free India. In one month, 39,08,500 plants have been destroyed.”

According to police sources, illegal cannabis cultivation was taking place in North Kalamchowra under Sepahijala district, including forest areas and land belonging to the Rubber Corporation and other government departments. The administration cut down and destroyed the illicit crops on Tuesday.

Police stated that, lured by the promise of quick and high profits, many farmers had become increasingly involved in illegal cannabis cultivation. However, the administration shattered those hopes through a decisive and coordinated crackdown.

Acting on specific intelligence inputs, Kalamchowra police launched a large-scale destruction drive in several areas on Tuesday. Speaking to the media, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Kalamchowra police station, Arup Debbarma, said that cannabis plantations spread across 48 plots were destroyed, and approximately 5,50,000 mature cannabis plants were cut down during the operation.

He further informed that personnel from CRPF 140 Battalion, TSR 6th, 7th, and 9th Battalions, along with 14th, 15th, and Women TSR Battalions, participated in the drive. Police authorities confirmed that such anti-cannabis operations would continue in the coming days.

In another major operation under Bishalgarh police station in Sepahijala district, a joint team carried out a raid in different areas to eliminate illegal cannabis cultivation. A large force comprising personnel from various police units, the district intelligence branch, male and female TSR personnel, CRPF jawans, and forest department staff participated in the operation.

On Tuesday at daybreak, a team led by Bishalgarh police station OC Bijay Das conducted a raid on hill tracts in the Raghunandan Thakurpara and Jagat Rampur areas under Banshibari ADC village. During the operation, around 3,00,000 cannabis plants spread over 70 plots were destroyed.

While the team was systematically destroying the plants, some cultivators pleaded with the police to spare their crops. A few claimed they had planted cannabis to arrange money for their daughters’ marriages, while others said their families would be left destitute. However, the police did not entertain any requests and continued the operation without interruption.

Speaking to the media, OC Bijay Das reiterated that such drives would continue in the coming days to completely eliminate illegal cannabis cultivation in the district.