Manipur bans ganja cultivation

IMPHAL, August 1: The Manipur government has imposed a ban on cultivation of ganja (cannabis) under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. A notification to this effect was issued by Excise commissioner P Vaiphei on Friday. Official sources said the apex security coordination committee of the state government decided to impose the ban during a meeting here on June 5. The coordination committee comprises representatives of the civil administration, the police, Army and paramilitary forces. According to the notification issued by Vaiphei, anyone found violating the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act will face imprisonment for a term extending up to five years and a maximum fine of Rs 50,000 for the first year. For the second and subsequent offences, the Act provides for a minimum prison term of 15 years and a fine of Rs 1.5 lakh. Ganja is cultivated in several parts of the state, particularly in Ukhrul and Imphal East districts. There are several such plantations in the northeastern part of Chandel district and the southeastern part of Senapati district as well. A section of Manipur Rifles and Central Reserve Police Force personnel is allegedly hand-in-glove with ganja smugglers. An inspector-general of the CRPF was once arrested for his involvement in the illegal trade. He is serving a prison term in Patna. Depending on its quality, a kg of ganja is priced between Rs 30 and Rs 40 in the state capital. Once it reaches Bihar or West Bengal, the price goes up to at least Rs 500. Ganja produced in Manipur is considered the best in the country, which explains the high prices in Bihar, West Bengal, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh. Rhino shot 'accidentally' From our correspondent Jorhat, August 1: A rhino was "accidentally" killed at a village near the Kaziranga National Park yesterday. Park director RS Bonal told The Telegraph that the rhino had strayed into the village from the Bagori range. "Forest guards and villagers were trying to direct the rhino back into the park when it came charging. The guards opened fire in the air to keep the animal at bay, but one of the bullets accidentally struck it," Bonal said. The 1,200 square km park had 152 rhinos in 1999. Of these, 20 died this year. "Only two rhinos were killed by poachers. The rest died of natural causes," he said. The park official said the increased efficiency of the "intelligence-gathering network" had helped in bringing down the level of poaching in recent times.