W S’bhum admin enlists village heads in campaign against poppy cultivation

Jamshedpur: Aiming to end illegal opium cultivation, the West Singhbhum administration has roped in the services of "manki" and "munda", the traditional village heads, for the effort. DC Kuldeep Chaudhary said they command respect and influence among the tribal community in the rural hinterland.
Stating that these leaders can play an important role in educating and encouraging the villagers not to grow opium in their fields, Chaudhary said, "I urge you to hold awareness camps, organise 'ratri chaupal' (community meeting) regularly and convince the villagers to stay away from growing opium."
While addressing a gathering of manki and munda at the Kolhan University auditorium in Chaibasa on Thursday, the DC further said the village heads should identify and felicitate the villagers who stopped cultivating the illegal crop to motivate the others. He said the administration would also help the farmers who quit growing poppy voluntarily.
"The opium crop not only destroys the fertility of the soil but its consumption spoils the life of people. We have strong laws to deal with poppy plantation and opium manufacture, sale and consumption," the DC said, adding that 400 acres of the crop were destroyed in the district.
During the meeting, SP Ashutosh Shekar said, "People should know that by growing opium, they are not only indulging in illegal activity but are also aiding in spoiling the future of our youths."