36 ACRES OF POPPY PLANTATIONS DESTROYED IN ARUNACHAL PRADESH

The Tirap district administration in Arunachal Pradesh, in association with police, Assam Rifles and an NGO, has destroyed 36 acres of poppy plantations in seven villages. Deputy commissioner P N Thungon have informed the local people in Lazu area of the district that the drive would be carried out till March 12 and sought their cooperation in the matter. Thungon have also assured people that the state government will find them an alternate source of income. District Horticulture Officer (DHO) Henrik Basar, who was part of the team that carried out the raid yesterday, urged people to grow ginger, chilly and cardamom in place of poppy. The deputy commissioner also thanked Nocte Women's Society, a local NGO, for supporting the drive."The president of the NGO, Litcha Socia, along with other members, have wholehearted participated in the massive opium destruction drive," the report quoted Thungon as saying. Thungon also appealed to the religious leaders, gaon burhas and panchayat leaders of Lazu area to come forward and join the drive.