As part of efforts
to check smuggling and cultivation of ganja in Kandhamal district, police is trying to involve members of gram panchayats in the drive.
A seminar was held at Phiringia yesterday where the local representatives were made aware about the role they can play in checking illegal transportation of the contraband.
"Any information on cultivation, stocking or transportation of ganja should immediately be passed onto police," SP (Kandhamal) K V Singh.
The SP said mafia from outside the state smuggled ganja and lured locals to cultivate hemp plants for fast bucks. "It is illegal to cultivate, possess and transport ganja and anyone involved in such activities will be punished in accordance with law," he said.
Phulbani MLA Duguni Kanhar stressed to need to check this practice in Kandhamal. "There is a need to include all sections of the society," he said.
Sarpanch and samiti members of 13 gram panchayats under Phiringia police limits, college principals, revenue officials and several other dignitaries attended the seminar.
The event assumed significance as hemp plants over 1,341 acres of land in the district were destroyed and 54 people arrested for their alleged role in ganja cultivation during 2015, officials said.
Similarly, 141 people were arrested while allegedly transporting over 2,500 kg of ganja from the district. Those arrested belong to West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Bihar and Phulbani district, they said.
