villagers leave native fearing Ganja mafias

They have never thought of leaving their native village even they suffered a lot due to Maoist activities over the past 5 years. But now they do not feel secured in the village after getting constant threat from Ganja Mafias. If complaining against illegal Ganja cultivation becomes a mistake than they have committed it. But now for this mistake they are leaving their own village. At least 15 families have been reportedly victims of the threat as Police do not come to rescue them even after getting such complaint. They allege local police and excise officials are having hand in gloves with the Ganja Mafias.

The victims villagers of Jamjuri village under Naktideul police station of the district, 100 km away from here have alleged that Naktideul region have become an open place for ganja cultivation. Having nexus with local police and excise officials, few local youths have been involved in the Ganja cultivation over the past few years. They allege that excise department and police department are making a hue and cry highlighting their raids to destroy Ganja cultivation. It is only to eye wash to common people actually their raids never include the actual places where Ganja mafias are involved in the illegal cultivation.

“Due to Ganja cultivation, we do not get sufficient water as Ganja Mafias pump out water for their illegal cultivation. They also take the kerosene old meant for us to run their water pump. As they take maximum pesticide in a higher price, we hardly get pesticides in our place.” Prahllad Pradhan, a villager of Jamjuri alleged on Thursday.

“When the situation becomes worst this year due to heavy crop loss we appealed the administration to take immediate action to stop Ganja cultivation. But surprisingly we get constant threat from ganja mafias soon after our appeal to the administration. So we believe local administration has noxious relation with the ganja mafia”, another villager Bidhan Sahu told.

“The villagers have finally decided not to return their village unless they get proper assurance from the district administration. We have appealed the district collector and SP to provide us proper security as apprehend life threat from the Ganja Mafia”, Ranjan Majhi another villager asserted.

On the other hand, the administration claimed to have destroyed crores rupees of Ganja cultivation in the Naktideul block over the past one month. “We have destroyed Ganja cultivation worth of Rs. 15 crores raiding several areas. We will continue our raids till we destroy all ganja cultivation. Allegation of discrimination in our raids is totally false”, excise superintendent PS Patra told.

Mean while collector PK Patnaik has sought a report from the local official regarding the allegation of the villagers. “I will take action incase I find truth on the allegation. I have also directed the police to take immediate step to provide security to the villagers”, collector PK Patniak told.