Police have launched an awareness drive at educational institutions in Rolpa district to control the unchecked production and smuggling of hashish.

Under the initiative of the District Police Office (DPO), security officers have been providing awareness classes at several schools in Liwang, the district headquarters of Rolpa, and other places in the district. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Gyanendra Prasad Phuyal said committees have been formed in 21 places for the purpose. “Public response to the campaign has been overwhelming,” claimed DSP Phuyal.

According to security sources, the production and smuggling of drugs, mainly hashish, has been rampant in Rolpa, Rukum and Baglung districts in the recent years.

DSP Phuyal said smugglers mainly focused to produce hashish in Rolpa. “We have started these classes in schools hoping to curb this menace by creating awareness among the students,” he said.

The DPO has stepped up security efforts to control the production and smuggling of drugs after two youths were arrested with 50 kg hashish from Ghartigaun a month ago. A district level drugs control committee has also been formed in association with representatives of political parties, civil society and the local people. 

“Local youths were found involved in hashish production. Police have initiated a special campaign to control the menace in the district,” said DSP Phuyal, adding

that hashish production is rife in northern part of Rolpa, east Rukum and villages in west Baglung.

Production and smuggling of the drugs has been going on unchecked in the district due to protection of the political parties, a security source said requesting anonymity.

The security officials is hopeful of completely ridding the menace of the district within a year if the parties support our campaign, he added.