Himachal sees drive against cannabis, opium cultivation
Shimla, June 17: The interiors of Himachal Pradesh, especially in the Kullu Valley infamous for cannabis and opium cultivation, have seen special drives by making officials and elected representatives at the grassroots accountable, the government said on Sunday.
The number of cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in the state has multiplied three times in a decade.
All revenue officials, forest officials and elected representatives of Panchayati Raj bodies are duty bound under Section 47 of the NDPS Act to inform the police about the illegal cultivation of cannabis and opium-poppy in their respective area of jurisdiction, Director General of Police S.R. Mardi said.
They will give the information in writing to the Station House Officer concerned and also to the Superintendent of Police.
The forest officials are also duty bound to report its illegal cultivation to the police, he said in a statement.
Once illegal cultivation is detected, a joint campaign will be launched to destroy such cultivation by involving all stakeholders and enforcement agencies like police.
These agencies will submit progress report on poppy, opium and cannabis destruction before August 15, Mardi said.
The drive, launched on April 15, will be carried by end of this month.
The narcotics trade is assuming horrific shape in Kullu where a large numbers of tourists, mostly Israelis, pour in every year.
This has inspired local farmers to clandestinely cultivate illegal poppy or cannabis crops to earn quick bucks.
All Superintendents of Police will associate Mahila Mandals, Yuvak Mandals and other NGOs while conducting the destruction of opium poppy and cannabis crops.
The Agriculture and Horticulture Departments in coordination with the Rural Development Department will jointly submit a proposal to adopt alternative cash crops suitable for areas cultivating opium and cannabis illegally.
The sensitising school students is also part of the ongoing campaign.
Training module for the nodal training officers of the Education Department to sensitise the students on drug abuse will be prepared, the government said.
During parent-teacher meetings, parents will also be sensitised against drug abuse.
Counselling sessions are also being organised once in a week in educational institutions on drug abuse.
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RCB beat MI by 18 runs after batters fire
Mumbai (PTI): Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Rajat Patidar, Phil Salt and Virat Kohli blasted half-centuries as the defending champions beat Mumbai Indians by 18 runs in an Indian Premier League match here on Sunday.
Salt (78 off 36 balls) and Kohli (50 off 38 balls) stitched together a 120-run stand for the opening wicket before Patidar scored a rapid 53 off just 20 balls as RCB posted 240 for 4.
In response, Mumbai Indians were restricted to 222 for 5, with RCB spinner Suyash Sharma (2/47) putting the skids on the home side with a double strike in the eighth over, from which they could not recover.
Sherfane Rutherford top-scored for MI with an unbeaten 71 off 31 balls.
While opener Rohit Sharma appeared to be struggling with a hamstring issue and had to retire hurt on 19, his partner Ryan Rickelton made 37, while Suryakumar Yadav (33) and Hardik Pandya (40) were the other contributors for MI.
Brief scores:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru 240 for 4 in 20 overs (Phil Salt 78, Virat Kohli 50, Rajat Patidar 53, Tim David 35 not out).
Mumbai Indians: 222 for 5 in 20 overs (Sherfane Rutherford 71 not out, Ryan Rickelton 37, Hardik Pandya 40; Suyash Sharma 2/47).
