Thakurmunda (Mayurbhanj): The police have destroyed a poppy plantation worth ₹42 lakh in Burusahi, Edelbeda village, under Thakurmunda police station in Mayurbhanj district. A police officer confirmed the estimated value of the destroyed crop.
Acting on intelligence, the police discovered that poppy was being cultivated commercially on approximately one acre of land in Edelbeda village.
The plants had reached the flowering stage and were being grown with great care. Upon receiving this information, a joint operation was launched on Wednesday morning by a team led by SDPO Subrata Kumar, in collaboration with officials from the Forest Department and Excise Department.
In the presence of Thakurmunda Tehsildar Sambit Kumar Kar, approximately 21,000 poppy plants were uprooted and set on fire. The cultivation site, located in a forested area near a waterfall at the base of a hill, falls under the jurisdiction of the Revenue Department.
Later in the afternoon, SDPO Subrata Kumar addressed a press conference, stating that a case has been registered at Thakurmunda police station under Sections 6 and 18 of the NDPS Act. He assured that an investigation is underway and that the accused will be arrested soon.
