Visakhapatnam Agency sarpanches join hands with police to curb ganja cultivation

The ganja menace in Vizag has grown to the point where it has become a national issue. Regularly, cases of ganja being smuggled from Visakhapatnam Agency to other states are being reported. The SEB and the revenue department were taking steps to eradicate ganja cultivation in the Agency.

In a bid to check the usage and trafficking of illicit drugs in the state, a comprehensive programme ‘Parivartana’ has been conceived under the leadership of AP DGP Gautam Sawang with able support from Revenue, Forest, and Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) officials in Visakhapatnam. In order to take the initiative forward, Visakhapatnam DIG, LKV Ranga Rao, on Wednesday, administered a pledge to about 100 sarpanches in Narsipatnam sub-division to eradicate ganja cultivation in their villages.

Speaking on the occasion, the Visakhapatam DIG said that Narsipatnam has become notoriously known as Ganja hub. He added that the ganja is being smuggled from there to cities across the country. Instead of ganja, tribals should raise medicinal plants, he advised.

Shedding light on the consequences of ganja cultivation, he explained how it is affecting the reputation of Visakhapatam District, particularly the Agency. He requested the sarpanches to take the responsibility to create awareness among the tribals to shun the cultivation of ganja in the Agency areas.

In response to the Visakhapatam DIG’s request, the sarpanches said that they will ensure that ganja is not cultivated within their village limits and that they will advise the youth to stay away from peddling and transporting the ganja. On this note, Mr Rao appreciated the villages which came forward voluntarily to destroy the ganja crops and assured all support to the villagers. SP B Krishna Rao, ASP Narsipatnam V Manikanta were present during the meeting.

It may be recalled that, earlier on Monday, as much as 810 kg of ganja was seized by the officials of the Special Enforcement Bureau (SEB) in Vizag Agency area in two separate incidents. Reportedly, the accused in one of the cases was arrested.