Pubdate: Mon, 21 Jan 2008
Source: Statesman, The (India)
Copyright: 2008 The Statesman
Contact:  http://www.thestatesman.net
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3261
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Marijuana)

CANNABIS FARMING STILL FLOURISHES

Cannabis cultivation continues to flourish on a massive scale at 
Chendipada and its adjoining areas in the district despite 
destruction of plantations each year by the excise authorities. The 
reason is that the kingpin behind the racket has remained elusive so 
far. The authorities ended their drive after destroying the 
plantations and registering cases against some of the local villagers 
in this connection.

What is appalling is that authorities despite conduct raids in each 
year are yet to establish the identity of the main culprits though 
they admit their existence.

The excise authorities conducted raids for a stretch of 17 days in 
seven phases in December and January in some places under the 
Chhendipada police station area. The operation, said to be the 
largest so far, covered an area of about 1.5 lakh acres.

The officials who conducted the raid burnt about 4.5 lakh cannabis 
trees raised on government and forest lands in the peripheral 
villages like Patrapara, Patakmunda, Raipal, Pururanagarh, Marudhipa 
and Kanalaoi of Chhendipada.

The district excise superintendent, Mr Biswajit Dash, who conducted 
the raids named Kalia Dehury as the main agent behind the cultivation 
of cannabis in these areas. Cases had been registered against three 
persons, including kalia, They are all absconding.

The cultivation is not only limited to chhendipada area, but have 
spread to Kishorenagar area of the district and beyond the adjoining 
borders of Sambalpur and Deogarh district.

The local villagers of this belt have been allured by the agents and 
have given away their lands for cannabis plantations. One of the 
villagers of Raipal was offered Rs 8,000 to let out his half acres of 
land for four months. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake