800 hectare of opium cultivation destroyed in Arunachal

Despite world-wide campaign, opium cultivation is on the rise in the North-East. To overcome the problem, the Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) has launched a major operation in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh destroying 800 hectare of opium cultivation. The operation was carried out in Wakru, Lazu and Pangsau areas, bordering Myanmar by the CBN in association with the Tirap district administration and the Assam Rifles. It took nearly 15 days for the complete destruction of opium cultivation.

Opium is largely cultivated in four districts –Tirap, Lohit, Upper Siang and Anzaw of Arunachal Pradesh. In view of growing demand of opium in the Northeast and Myanmar, more and more people are now involved in opium cultivation.

“We had carried out similar kind of operations in Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. But destruction in Tirap was huge”, highly-placed official sources told this correspondent today. They also observed that the problem in the region is more acute compared to other States in the country as more and more people are now getting attracted towards opium cultivation.

In 2000, a massive operation was launched in four districts of Arunachal Pradesh destroying about 200 hectare of opium cultivation. Since then no operation has been carried out in the areas. Taking advantage of the situation and increasing demand in the neighbouring countries, people have started cultivating opium to earn money.

Expressing concern over the situation, the sources said that urgent steps are required to contain the problem. “ According to our survey, opium is cultivated in nearly 2000 hectare, in Arunachal Pradesh that has become a matter of concern”, they added.

Interestingly, despite the problem in the region, proper steps are yet to be initiated to create awareness among the people. It is learnt that the opium is also smuggled to Myanmar to produce heroin.

The people living along the border, particularly Singpho community has been badly hit by opium over the years. Several Singpho people of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have sold off their property to meet the regular demand of opium

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