Opium cultivation on 1,500 bigha land destroyed in Kaliachak

Opium plants cultivated illegally on over 1,500 bigha land were destroyed during a joint operation conducted by a team of Malda district police and the Border Security Force personnel in Kaliachak. The operation is on since last 7 days. 

The State Excise Department has undertaken the drive in which they sought help from the police and BSF. Police have arrested two persons for cultivating opium plants illegally in the area. According to the department, they often conduct raids in the area and destroy opium plants which were illegally cultivated. Excise department in 2014 damaged huge number of opium plants on 30,000 bigha land in Kaliachak and Baishnabnagar area. 

Police said opium cultivation was a huge source of income for some people in the area. There was always a fight between various groups over the possession of opium that were being cultivated in the area. Anti-social elements are always active in Kalichak as it is situated in the bordering area. Many groups try to start such business as they can make huge amount of money by selling opium. 

Police have been conducting raids to arrest other accused involved in the business. The two accused were being interrogated by the police.