Srinagar, April 26: Police in Anantnag, Awantipora and Budgam on Sunday destroyed illicit poppy cultivation by registering multiple cases under NDPS Act.
“In Anantnag, Police Station Mattan received reliable information regarding the illegal cultivation of opium poppy by Ab Majeed Sheikh son of Late Ali Sheikh resident of Babagund. Acting promptly on this information, a joint team visited the specified land, where opium poppy plants were found growing. The operation was carried out in the presence of officials from the Agriculture Department and the Executive Magistrate. Similarly, Police Station Utrasoo, in coordination with revenue officials, destroyed illegally cultivated opium poppy plants on land belonging to Nisar Ahmad Wani, son of Mohd Ramzan Wani, a resident of Cherpora Chatergul. The land is located at Pati Sheikhpora, Cherpora,” a police spokesman said.
He said in Awantipora, officers from Police Station Tral destroyed illicit poppy cultivation at Laru Jagir, Tral.
The drive was carried out in coordination with the Revenue and Agriculture Departments, during which the illegal poppy crop was completely eradicated. Accordingly, cases under relevant sections of law have been registered at respective police stations and further investigation have been initiated.
“In Budgam, police conducted a series of coordinated operations across the district, resulting in the destruction of illicit poppy cultivation and registration of five cases under the NDPS Act. Acting on specific inputs, a police team from PS Charar-i-Sharief carried out an operation at Alamdar Colony Phase-II, Charar-i-Sharief, where illicit poppy plants were found cultivated in an orchard belonging to Mohammad Amin Baba Akhoon son of Gh. Mohammad Baba Akhoon,” the police spokesman said.
Similarly, police teams from PS Khansahib destroyed illegal poppy cultivation at Khasipora and Dooru.
Accordingly, FIR No. 71/2026 has been registered against Mushtaq Ahmad Mir son of Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Mir resident of Khasipora, and FIR No. 75/2026 has been registered against Ghulam Qadir Bhat son of Mohammad Kamal Bhat resident of Kalshipora.
In a separate action, a police team from PS Budgam destroyed illicit poppy cultivation at Ichgam.
“A police party from Police Station Chadoora destroyed illicit poppy cultivation in the orchards of Ghulam Ahmad Rather son of Late Abdul Kareem Rather resident of Wagam,” the spokesman said.
Accordingly, cases have been registered and all legal formalities, including seizure, sampling, and preparation of destruction memos, were carried out on the spot in the presence of Revenue/Excise officials and the Executive Magistrate.
In Shopian, acting promptly on the information, a police team from Police Station Imamsahib reached the spot and detected illegal poppy cultivation on land belonging to Ghulam Ahmad Wani and Manzoor Ahmad Sheikh, residents of Narwani Imamsahib.
“The illicit crop was immediately destroyed on the spot. In this regard, Case FIR No. 28/2026 under relevant sections of law has been registered at Police Station Imamsahib and further investigation has been taken up,” the spokesman said.