HANAMKONDA: History seems to be repeating itself in Warangal with a rise in ganja cultivation. Drawn by the allure of easy money, unemployed city youth are reportedly growing ganja saplings in their residences.
Recently, the anti-narcotics sleuths, in coordination with Task Force personnel, conducted raids within the Warangal Railway Station limits. During one operation, police dogs led officers to the top of a building near the third platform of the railway station in Shiva Nagar, where ganja saplings were found growing in flower pots. Subsequently, the police seized the plants and registered a case.
Four decades ago, similar ganja cultivation practices were prevalent in the Narsampet division. Farmers in the Mahabubabad division were known to grow ganja among red chilli crops, as the plants bear a resemblance. At the time, the police and excise officials carried out extensive raids in Mahabubabad, Chennaraopet, Gudur and Narsampet. Numerous cases were filed, and political support for such cultivation was curtailed, helping bring the practice under control.
Today, however, unemployed youth and students are reportedly adopting similar methods to grow ganja, often on the rooftops of buildings, for easy financial gains. The mechanical city life, with limited community oversight, appears to have contributed to this resurgence.
Ganja peddlers are also reportedly smuggling dried ganja from the borders of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha border areas into Warangal, packaging it into smaller quantities and selling it to students. Recently, students from a private university were caught selling ganja on campus. In another incident, a 70-year-old man was apprehended for growing ganja saplings at his residence in Shayampet, Hanamkonda. A similar case was reported in Shiva Nagar, Warangal.
The anti-narcotics officials are actively working to dismantle drug networks in the erstwhile Warangal district, including areas under the Khammam Commissionerate.
Speaking to TNIE, Warangal NEW DSP K Saidulu said the state government has issued clear instructions to eliminate the drug mafia at its roots. He added that the wing has launched extensive operations, resulting in the seizure of 1,155 kg of ganja and the registration of 33 cases within the Warangal police commissionerate limits.
Regional Narcotics Clearance Centres (RNCCs) are also collaborating with Revenue, Excise, Task Force, and Civil Police departments to conduct raids on suspected crops and villages in the Warangal and Khammam districts. “We are determined to curb ganja peddling and cultivation in the state,” DSP Saidulu said.