Raigarh District Administration Launches Swift 72-Hour Crackdown on Opium Cultivation
Raipur, March 23
Following the directives of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, the Raigarh District Administration is maintaining a relentless campaign against the illegal cultivation of narcotics. Under the leadership of Collector Shri Mayank Chaturvedi and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Shri Shashimohan Singh, a series of raids were conducted over the last 72 hours—stretching from Amaghat in the Tamnar region to the villages of Navin Ghatgaon and Mudagaon in the Lailunga block—striking fear into those involved in this illicit trade.
Extensive Drone Surveillance
During a press conference held today at the Police Control Room, Collector Shri Mayank Chaturvedi stated that intensive inspections and joint operations are ongoing to curb illegal drug cultivation. To ensure effective monitoring, the administration has launched a wide-scale drone survey campaign across various subdivisions, including:
* Kharsia (14 villages)
* Gharghoda (10 villages)
* Tamnar (12 villages)
* Lailunga (4 villages)
* Raigarh (11 villages)
* Pussore (13 villages)
* Dharamjaigarh (7 villages)
Drone technology has enabled surveillance in remote and inaccessible terrains, allowing for the swift identification and neutralization of suspicious activities.
Major Seizures and Arrests
SSP Shri Shashimohan Singh provided details on the specific operations:
* Tamnar (March 19): Based on a tip-off, teams raided Amaghat and found opium being grown under the guise of vegetable farming. Approximately 60,326 plants, with an estimated market value of ₹2 crore, were recovered. The main accused, Marshal Sanga (a resident of Jharkhand), is in custody. The crop was destroyed using rotavators and JCB machines.
* Navin Ghatgaon (March 23): Drone and physical surveys revealed opium cultivation by landowner Sadram Nag amidst vegetable crops. The plants had begun blooming with white flowers. The crop was seized, and the accused was detained.
* Evidence Tampering Foiled: In the same village, dried opium crops were recovered from the house of Abhimanyu Nagvanshi. The team arrived just as the suspect attempted to destroy the evidence.
* Mudagaon Investigation: Suspect Tansingh Nagvanshi admitted to cultivating suspicious crops on approximately 5 decimals of land. Dried remains of trees, leaves, and stems were seized for forensic analysis.
Strict Legal Action and Public Appeal
The Collector emphasized that illegal drug cultivation is a grave offense and no one involved will be spared. The administration is in constant contact with Narcotics department officials, and strict action under the NDPS Act will follow based on forensic reports.
The authorities have urged citizens to immediately report any such illegal activities to the police or administration to ensure timely and effective intervention.