CUTTACK: Odisha Police chalked out an action plan for prevention and destruction of illegal cannabis and poppy cultivation at a high level meeting held here on Thursday.
Director General of Police (DGP) KB Singh said massive cannabis cultivation has been reported in different places, especially in Naxal affected districts, of the State.
“As the crop season has just started, we have sensitised all officers concerned to identify cannabis and poppy cultivated areas and identify persons who are involved in the illegal practice. A large number of financers in and outside Odisha are involved in cultivation of narcotic drugs. Different agencies in parts of South-Western belt are also involved, Singh said.
Special DG, Crime Branch (CB) BK Sharma said Cannabis is being cultivated widely in around 10 districts of the State.
SPs have been sensitised to collect information about areas where cannabis and poppy are cultivated and destruct the same, Sharma said and added that collecting information through intelligence is vital for curbing the illegal practice.
The meeting aimed at seeking cooperation of officials of Excise, Forest, Police, Revenue and Narcotic Control Bureau to destroy cannabis and poppy cultivation in a coordinated way.
Officials of Odisha Space Application Centre (ORSAC) were also asked to provide report about new cannabis and poppy cultivation areas through satellite imaging system.
Among others, DIGs of five ranges, SPs of Sambalpur, Angul, Boudh, Rayagada, Kandhamal, Malkangiri, Deogarh, Gajapati, Nayagarh and Cuttack were also present.