Police and Excise Department officials in Kandhamal district launched a massive crackdown and destroyed illegal cannabis cultivation spread across nearly 1,000 acres of land, valued at more than Rs 10 crore.
Superintendent of Police Harish Bisi and Excise Superintendent Sushant Kumar Padhi directed and supervised the operation. Moreover, teams from multiple police stations worked tirelessly in harsh winter conditions for ten days and uprooted ganja plants across several forest and village areas.
The crackdown covered large tracts of land. For instance, officers cleared 40 acres in Saliju forest under Daringbadi police limits, 45 acres in Duduki area under Phulbani Sadar, and 35 acres in Garakumpa and Nagleju under Khajuripada. In addition, they destroyed 48 acres in Tumudibandh, 52 acres in Tikabali, 35 acres in Baliguda, 25 acres in Raikia, 87 acres in Firingia, 52 acres in Sarangada, 45 acres in Dutimendi, 32 acres in Khaliberenna, and 42 acres in Kotagarh. Furthermore, they eliminated 52 acres in Duduki Panchayat, 32 acres in Daringbadi, 73 acres in Firingia Dumuriguda, 55 acres in Salguda Panchayat, 64 acres in Nuagaon, 106 acres in Luisingi Panchayat, 63 acres in Kusumbata, and 51 acres in Partamaha Panchayat.
Officials confirmed that the joint operation aimed to eliminate illegal ganja cultivation and smuggling networks. Additionally, they emphasised that such drives will continue regularly to ensure complete eradication.
SP Harish Bisi and Excise Superintendent Sushant Padhi highlighted that strong leadership and decisive action made the operation successful. As a result, the crackdown created fear among illegal cultivators and smuggling mafias in the district.
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