Tripura: Violent Clash Erupts as Security Forces Target Cannabis Cultivation
Agartala: Tension gripped Manikyanagar under the Kalamchoura police station in Tripura's Sepahijala district on Tuesday morning following a violent clash between local cannabis cultivators and security personnel during an anti-narcotics operation. The confrontation left four security personnel injured, including a police constable who sustained serious injuries and was rushed to Bishalgarh hospital for urgent medical treatment.
Operation Escalates into Violent Confrontation
According to official reports, a joint team comprising Tripura Police and Assam Rifles personnel launched a coordinated operation aimed at destroying illegal cannabis plantations in the area. However, before the security forces could reach the targeted cultivation sites, a large group of residents and cultivators blocked the road and actively resisted the operation, triggering an immediate and volatile confrontation.
The situation rapidly escalated as villagers allegedly began pelting stones and bricks at the security forces. In response to the aggressive resistance, police and Assam Rifles personnel fired approximately 40 warning shots into the air in an effort to disperse the hostile crowd and regain control of the situation.
Protesters Demand Legalization and Livelihood Protection
In the aftermath of the violent incident, protests erupted across the region with local residents vociferously demanding the legalization of cannabis cultivation. Many protesters argued that cannabis farming serves as a vital and indispensable source of livelihood for numerous poor families in the area. They contended that synthetic drugs, such as Yaba tablets and certain cough syrups, pose a far greater and more immediate threat to Tripura's youth compared to traditional cannabis cultivation.
Protesters leveled serious accusations against the administration, claiming authorities were unfairly targeting small-scale cultivators while allegedly ignoring the trafficking of harder and more dangerous substances. Some villagers also called for broader and more consistent reforms, arguing that if cannabis remains banned, then liquor shops across the entire state should also be forcibly shut down to maintain policy parity.
Eyewitness Accounts and Wider Context
Eyewitnesses present during the clash claimed that women were among the first individuals to obstruct the security operation, while several men reportedly attempted to hastily cut down and conceal cannabis plants to prevent their imminent destruction by the authorities. No civilian casualties have been officially confirmed by the administration at this time.
This violent confrontation represents one of the most severe incidents in recent memory, although similar anti-cannabis drives have been regularly conducted in other areas including Mohanpur, Sidhai, and Lembuchara. Authorities typically schedule these operations during the early morning hours to minimize potential resistance and proceed by systematically cutting and burning the illegal crops on-site.
Heightened Security and Official Response
Heavy police and central force deployments continue to be maintained across the region to prevent any further unrest or escalation of violence. Senior police officials have issued stern warnings, promising strict legal action against all individuals involved in attacking the security forces during the operation. Comprehensive investigations are currently underway to identify and apprehend the primary instigators of the violent clash.
The Tripura Police have firmly reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to continuing anti-cannabis operations as an integral component of the state government's broader and more comprehensive anti-drug campaign, despite facing significant local opposition and resistance from cultivation-dependent communities.
