In a significant crackdown on illicit cultivation, security forces in Bihar's Gaya district have successfully destroyed a large swathe of opium crops located deep within forests known for Maoist activity. The operation, part of an ongoing drive, marks a major step in curbing narcotics production in the region.
Joint Forces Execute 'Operation Clean'
A coordinated team comprising the district police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Special Task Force (STF), along with officials from the forest and excise departments, carried out the destruction on Monday. The target was opium plantations spread across 4.6 acres in the dense, remote forest areas of Piprehat and Kokana. These locations fall under the jurisdiction of the Chhakarbandha police station.
Security and Scale of the Anti-Drug Drive
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Anand Kumar stated that the action was conducted under "Operation Clean." Given the sensitive and volatile nature of the area, which is impacted by Left-Wing Extremism, armed personnel provided a security cover throughout the mission. To ensure complete eradication, tractors were deployed to plough over and destroy the illegal crops.
This recent action follows an earlier phase of the same operation. Prior to this, officials had already eliminated opium cultivation covering 4.14 acres in the vicinity. Combining both phases, the total area cleared of opium crops in the last week alone stands at a substantial 8.74 acres.
A Blow to Narcotics Trade in Red Corridor
The successful operation deals a direct blow to the funding mechanisms often associated with insurgent groups in the region. The destruction of such a significant quantity of raw narcotics disrupts the supply chain and demonstrates the resolve of multiple agencies working in tandem. The use of heavy machinery like tractors indicates a move towards permanent destruction to prevent regrowth. Authorities continue to maintain vigilance in these forest belts to prevent any resurgence of illegal plantations.
