Ankit Kumar Singh, the superintendent of police, Namsai district, of eastern Arunachal Pradesh, said on Friday that a joint team comprising district administration, police, tax and excise, narcotics control bureau and forest department officials have launched a drive against illicit poppy cultivation across the district with the motto, Clean and Healthy Society, Free of Opium and Drugs.

“The district authorities have been conducting the drive against illicit poppy cultivation and drug menace across the district to ensure a law abiding and healthy society for the brighter future of one and all,” Singh told The Telegraph.

The joint team has managed to destroy nearly 500 hectares of illegally grown opium poppy plantation in Lohit reserve forests area of the district so far .

The police said the illegal cultivation is being done in deep jungles in patches.

“Our jawans have to have to walk over five to six hours to reach these clearings crossing across deep gorges, deep drains, swamps and rivers facing blood thirsty leeches, insects and poisonous serpents. We hope this effort will contribute in cleansing society,” a police official said.

Rakesh Talukdar, a local resident, said, “Opium is a source of income for many people in these areas irrespective of any community. An effective community and administrative approach is needed to replace these crops with other high-yielding crops. I applaud the action of Namsai police. However, simply arresting these people under the NDPS Act and punishing them is not the remedy. A longer and proactive approach is essential by involving all stakeholders.”

However, a senior police officer said, “Even after vigorous campaigns and numerous welfare measures, some anti-social elements are still cultivating poppy in dense forests.”

Cultivation of poppy is illegal and punishable under the provisions of the NDPS Act.

Chongkham police of the district, in a drive against drugs led by sub-inspector Ajay Kumar, seized 5kg of opium contraband, amounting to lakhs of rupees in the market, from alleged drug peddlers and illicit poppy growers from Khado. The peddlers managed to escape. A case has been registered.

More such seizures and arrests are expected in days to come as the district police have intensified its efforts to curb the menace and it is the harvesting time for opium