Berhampur (Odisha), April 22: In a bid to curb cultivation and smuggling of cannabis in Kondhmal district, district police is mulling involving gram panchayats in the drive.
Local body representatives were made aware on Thursday about the role they can play in checking illegal transportation of the contraband.
District Police Chief KV Singh said, “Any information on cultivation, stocking or transportation of ganja should immediately be passed onto police.”
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 and urged all sections of the society to join the mission.
“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.
Notably, 41 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.
