Alipurduar, 12th January: A civic volunteer has been arrested in connection with an unauthorized poppy cultivation case in Kalchini. The accused, identified as Binay Barman, is a resident of Sonapur in the Alipurduar district.
Recently, the police destroyed poppy cultivation spread over 30 bighas in the Dakshin Mendabari area of Kalchini block. Initially, the landowner was arrested in connection with the case, and during interrogation, the name of the civic volunteer emerged. Police sources confirmed that while Binay Barman is not the main accused, two individuals from Cooch Behar district were involved. These individuals had leased the land through Barman for illegal cultivation.
The Kalchini police have initiated an awareness campaign in nearby villages to educate residents about illegal poppy farming. Authorities believe that increased awareness among the locals will be key in preventing such activities in the future.
