16,500 opium plants destroyed in major Himachal police’s crackdown on narcotics in Mandi

MANDI: In a significant crackdown on illegal narcotics cultivation in Himachal Pradesh, the Aut police have destroyed 16,500 plants of opium poppy in Khuhan area of Balichowki in Mandi district.
The operation was conducted under the leadership of Station House Officer (SHO) Karn Singh and marks one of the largest seizures in the region in recent times, highlighting the persistent challenge of illicit opium farming in Himachal Pradesh.

Village common land used for illegal cultivation

The opium plants were found cultivated across seven fields of common village (mushtarka) land, shared by three persons.

Preliminary investigations reveal that the accused had interspersed opium cultivation within apple orchards, a tactic aimed at concealing the illegal activity.

Despite proximity to residential areas, the locals reportedly remained silent, inadvertently facilitating the unlawful operations.

Coordinated effort with revenue, panchayat officials

Upon discovering the illegal cultivation, the Aut police promptly involved officials from the Revenue Department and representatives from the local panchayat to ensure transparency and adherence to legal protocols.

After completing the necessary documentation, the opium plants were systematically destroyed on-site.
Three separate FIRs have been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Authorities are continuing their investigation to identify and apprehend all individuals involved in the illicit cultivation.

Broader pattern of illicit cultivation in Himachal

This incident is part of a broader pattern of illegal opium cultivation in Himachal Pradesh.
In May 2023, Mandi district witnessed the destruction of over 5.72 lakh poppy plants cultivated on seven bighas of land in the Padhar subdivision.

Similarly, in April 2023, authorities in Kullu district destroyed over 47,000 opium plants in the Banjar and Sainj valleys, registering FIRs against the accused.

State-wide measures against narcotics

The Himachal government has been intensifying efforts to combat the cultivation and trafficking of narcotics.
In 2024, police seized illegal assets worth Rs 9 crore from drug traffickers and arrested several persons, including government officials and law enforcement personnel, for their involvement in the drug trade.
Additionally, the state has implemented policies mandating periodic reporting by local bodies on illicit cultivation activities.

The Aut police have urged local communities to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to narcotics cultivation.

Munish Sood