Excelsior Correspondent
PULWAMA, May 11: Owing to the callous attitude of authorities, thousands of kanals of land in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district continues to remain under poppy cultivation, with locals appealing the higher ups to take immediate steps to curb the menace.
Under the nose of authorities, the locals said, agricultural and horticultural land in areas like Koil, Chandgam, Baderwan, Beighpora, Padgampora Lajoora, Parigam, Wahibugh, Newa and many other villages of Pulwama district is being used for poppy cultivation.
“It is one of the most lucrative cash crops as even its husk fetches money.
You can see that whole patches of the Apple orchards and Almond orchards are being used to cultivate poppy. If you and I can see that, why can’t the authorities,” asked Abdul Rahim Khan, a senior citizen from Pulwama.
Khan, while expressing dismay over the seriousness of the higher-ups in curbing the menace, said that it was ironic that the authorities have forgotten to curb the menace. “The menace, if it is not curbed, is going to destroy our young generation,” he said.
Locals have been requesting the district administration and the police to start an extensive drive against the menace in the district. This time over too, the locals have demanded that an immediate drive should be started.
While commenting on the menace of poppy cultivation, Deputy Commissioner, Pulwama Dr Abid Rasheed told Excelsior that the administration was aware of such menace continuing in few parts of the district. He said that the administration will not think twice while acting harshly against the offenders.
“We will have to act against the menace as the district administration will not tolerate such a thing. We have already constituted teams and have also identified some areas. Now a drive to curb the menace will be carried soon. All the departments whether Excise, Revenue or Police will form joint teams and from next week,” he said.
It is pertinent to mention here that the drive against the poppy cultivation was carried out 3 years ago after which nothing has been done. Meanwhile, police sources are attributing the lack of action towards eradicating the menace to the law and order situation, which, they said makes it difficult.
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