Manali: Despite statewide anti-drug campaigns and cannabis destruction drive, cases of charas seizure have increased in Kullu district. The police department is now taking help of geographic information system (GIS) mapping to locate cannabis fields in Kullu.

Himachal police and narcotics control bureau have marked about 2,500 bigha of land under cannabis cultivation with help of GIS in remote areas of Kullu. Statewide anti-drug campaigns have failed to control the production and smuggling of charas in Himachal Pradesh. Police claim it is not easy to finish this trade within few days but efforts are on to control the production.

Kullu police had seized 38.7kg of charas in 54 cases under NDPS Act in 2015. They have registered 73 cases till July 31 this year and seized 79.3kg charas at nakas and during raids.

Inspector general police Ajay Kumar Yadav said nearly 2,500 bigha of land under cannabis has been marked and special campaign to destroy the plants will start from August 22. "Apart from police and NCB teams, help will be sought from panchayats, forest and revenue departments, NGOs, NCC, NSS, mahila mandals and yuvak mandals to destroy the weed. We are committed to root out this menace from the society," he said.

High quality cannabis is generally grown in high altitude areas of Himachal Pradesh. Maximum numbers of cases under NDPS Act are recorded in both Kullu and Mandi districts. Cannabis is cultivated in April and May and it becomes ready to extract its resin by rubbing palms on leaves after August end. Cannabis destruction campaigns also start in August and September months.



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