Opium farming in 620 acres of land in Bihar destroyed

Patna: Security forces have destroyed opium crops in 620 acres of land in three districts of Bihar in the past one year, an official of state police said on Tuesday.

Farming of opium in Naxal-affected districts of Jamui, Aurangabad and Gaya Ji is turning out to be a major source of revenue generation for the Naxal groups, the official said.

“Due to continuous efforts, we have managed to control opium farming in these three districts. We have destroyed the crops spread in 620 acres in the financial year of 2021-22. In 2020-21, we had destroyed crops in 584 acres of land and 470 acres land in 2019-20,” the official said.

The preparation of opium farming starts after the monsoon session, while the ideal farming time is between January and March.

The people involved in illegal farming of opium generally live in the deep forest areas of Jamui, Auragabad and Gaya Ji. The deep forest of Sikandra in Jamui district and Dhangai and Barachatti in Gaya Ji districts are infamous for opium cultivation in the region.

“Farming of opium is being done generally by the poor of these regions who are protected by Naxal groups. As the majority of lands are state government properties that come under forest areas, it is extremely difficult to hold any person responsible for it. Hence, we initiate force mobilisation in the regions during farming sessions to destroy crops at maximum level. It is a major source of running the Naxal economy,” the official said.

“The revenue generated through opium farming is used for purchasing arms and ammunition,” he said.