Kulgam, Apr 27: Authorities in south Kashmir's Kulgam district have destroyed poppy cultivation over 105 Kanals of land. 

The official said that the drive is part of an ongoing effort under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Drugs (NDPS) Act to combat the illegal cultivation of cannabis and poppy. 

 

“On Wednesday a drive was kickstarted against poppy cultivation at Ashmuji village, during which we destroyed poppy grown on 27 Kanals of land. The drive was a collaborative effort by Revenue, Excise, and Departments,” Tehsildar Kulgam Bilal Ahmad told Rising Kashmir.

 

Earlier, Tehsildar Kulgam issued an order in an effort to crack down on illegal drug cultivation. 

 

As per the official order, the inhabitants of Kulgam Tehsil have been ordered to refrain from growing poppy and cannabis by local authorities, who have given them an appropriate amount of time to voluntarily destroy any existing crops. 

 

"The order is part of a larger effort to eliminate root cultivation in the district and eradicate the production of illicit substances."

 

“In Kulgam tehsil alone, approximately 105 Kanals of land have been freed from illegal poppy cultivation. This large tract of land was used by some individuals to cultivate cannabis and poppy in many areas of the tehsil,” Tehsildar Kulgam explained.

 

He said that in the event of complaints about the failure to willingly destroy the poppy crop, the joint team will proceed to destroy it, and strict measures will be taken against any wrongdoers.