Marijuana plants destroyed in anti-drug abuse drive

By Our Correspondent,Banke, Mar. 20: Locals have coordinated with police to initiate a campaign against drug abuse in Baijanath Rural Municipality. 

They launched the campaign by destroying marijuana plants produced across the open fields in the area.

"We know that marijuana plants can grow anywhere. The plants have grown in many open areas here. It had attracted many local youths alongside those from neighbouring districts following which we drew the attention of police," said Dhirendra Singh Thakuri, a member of Ward No. 6 committee of Baijanath.

A team led by Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police Gajendra Singh Bhandari from Raniyapur Police Station under Dhanauli Area Police Office had patrolled Mankhola area, a border area of Banke and Bardiya districts, and destroyed rampantly produced cannabis plants in large quantity.

"While marijuana grows anywhere, local youths are also found getting more addicted towards pharmaceutical and chemical drugs. We are now coordinating with locals and initiating a campaign to control drug consumption and help youths find a better future," said Inspector Sandip Belbase, in-charge of Dhanauli Area Police Office.

Police also informed that they have intensified surveillance along the Nepal-India border to prevent smuggling of chemical drugs. 

"We will go under the Community-Police Partnership model of Nepal Police since the support and coordination of locals are inevitable to control and prevent crimes," said Inspector Belbase.

Locals have also assured to inform the police as soon as they came across any information related to drug consumption and smuggling.