The District Police Office (DPHO) Rukum has destroyed opium plants cultivated on around 70 bigha of land in total in different parts of the district.

The DPHO said that it had mobilised 135 personnel to destroy an illegal opium farming conducted on a large scale at different places including Gotamkot, Syalakhadi, Aathbiskot, Magma, Banfikot, Syalapakha, Jang, Siden and Hukam.

But, we have received information that opium poppies are being cultivated in other areas also and are planning to go there for action, DPHO Chief Deputy Superintendent of Police Angur GC said.

However, no individual has been arrested in connection to this and the police complained of non-cooperation from locals in its move to crack down on illegal opium cultivation.

Police personnel deployed to destroy the plants were denied even a glass of water by locals, said one police officer. RSS