Army destroys seized ganja
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 28 2010: Around 1200 Kgs of contraband ganja seized by 16 Maratha Light Infantry from Thangjing hill range have been destroyed by setting it afire within the headquarters of 16 MLI today.

The ganja disposal exercise led by CO of 16 MLI Prasant Chauhan was attended by officials of the Narcotic Control Bureau, Imphal Regional Unit and chiefs of nearby villages.

Ganja disposed today was seized by a combined team of 16 MLI and 46 AR during a search operation in New Kaprang area of Thangjing hill range a few days back.

The contraband substance packed in a sack was found buried underground.

The monetary value of the ganja destroyed today is around Rs 35 lakhs in local market.

Ganja seized by security force personnel being destroyed at the MLI campus

In their drive against drugs and intoxicants in different parts of Churachandpur district, troops of Red Shield Division pulled up 23 persons besides seizing 3675 Kgs of ganja, 1.8 Kg of opium and 10 grams of heroin.

Troops of 16 MLI based at Gothal and operating under Loktak Brigade also destroyed ganja and poppy plants cultivated over an area of around four square kilometres.

Anti-drug units of the Government are still unable to reach these areas where these contraband plants were cultivated.

It is said that the anti-narcotic campaign of the Red Shield Division is aimed at deterring villagers from cultivating narcotic substances as well as to prevent youngsters from falling into the jaws of drugs.

Responding to the call of the campaign, chiefs of the surrounding villages have given assurance to the Army authority not to allow cultivation of poppy or ganja in their villages.

One village chief said that villagers in remote areas turned to ganja or poppy cultivation to earn money as there is very little Government initiative to provide a viable means of earning livelihood in these areas.

He also sought attention of the State Government to prevent such illegal activities.