Drive against smugglers in south Kashmir

Srinagar, Jun 5: The authorities in south Kashmir, in a major drive against smugglers, destroyed poppy and other banned crops in over 70 kanals of land, official sources said today.

They said, the Deputy Commissioner, Kulgam, constituted a special squad to launch a major drive against the smugglers following reports that a large number of farmers were cultivating poppy and other banned crops.

The squad, assisted by police, raided about half a dozen villages, including Nehru, Pariwan, Shahpora, Khai-Jogipora, Kadar and Mohammad pora areas.

During the raids, poppy and other banned crops in 70 kanals of land were destroyed and cases registered against the owners.

Poppy and other banned crops in over hundreds of hectares of land were destroyed in south Kashmir district of Anantnag and Pulwama last summer. About a dozen smugglers were also taken into custody.

UNI