The campaign that kicked off three days ago has 65 police personnel deployed by the District Police Office. “The team has so far destroyed marijuana planted in over 1,000 ropanis of land in Gairigaun, Dariyal in Pida VDC and Bhalukhop in Kiranchowk VDC,” said Inspector Hemant Bhandari.

According to police, while some locals tried to escape police, others lent a hand in their effort to destroy marijuana plantation. Bhandari claimed of finding a Dhiki (used for the manufacture of hashish) during the campaign.

The locals of Kiranchowk and neighbouring VDCs, including Bhumesthan, Baireni, Tasarpu, Pida and Mahadevsthan residing in the upper region have reportedly been traditionally involved in commercial farming of the contraband. Locals said thousands of kilograms of marijuana is produced in the area, most of which are pushed into Tarai and India markets via Makwanpur.

Superintendent of Police Prakash Malla argued that it would take time to destroy the contraband planted in over 1000 hectares of land and change the mindset of the locals who have been engaged in the business for long. Malla said it was essential to formulate a phase wise programme to give continuity to the campaign. “We intend to organise awareness programmes for the locals,” Malla said.