Odisha Steps Up Drive Against Hemp Cultivation, DGP Chairs Crucial Meeting

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Police has intensified the drive to destroy illegal hemp cultivation in several districts, including Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Boudh, Ganjam, Nabarangpur, and Mayurbhanj.

Director General of Police (DGP) Y B Khurania chaired a meeting on Saturday to coordinate the drive, which aims at curbing illegal cannabis trade through advanced technology and inter-departmental collaboration, an official release said.

Addressing the meeting, attended virtually by senior police officials including Additional DGP of CID and CB, DIG Ops, and SSPs of the affected districts, the police chief emphasised the use of drone technology to locate and map illegal cannabis cultivation.

The police will also rely on human intelligence to gather information on the topography and the involvement of local individuals in cultivation activities.

To approach remote cultivation sites, the DGP suggested mobilization of manpower from various agencies, including Revenue, Forest, and Excise. In areas where there is suspected Naxal movement, a coordinated operational plan involving the Central Armed Police Forces (CAF) and Special Operations Group (SOG) will be formulated with the necessary approvals.

The plan also includes regular inter-district and inter-departmental meetings to strengthen coordination between key departments, ensuring smooth communication and efficient operations.

In addition, SSPs have been directed to work with District Collectors to explore Alternative Development Programs aimed at reducing cannabis cultivation by providing alternative livelihood options to affected communities.

The campaign to destroy cannabis cultivation began in early November and will continue through March. As of November 8, police teams have destroyed illegal cannabis crops spanning approximately 267 acres, the release added.