Tripura: Police opened fire in air to disperse mob in Gajaraia village under Bishalgarh police station area of West Tripura who have assembled to protest against destruction of cannabis plants in over more than two hectares of land under private possession.
According to report, based on specific information officer in-charge of Bishalgarh police station accompanied by forest guard and BSF personnel raided the village on Friday and started destruction of the plants.
Suddenly, about 200 villagers cordoned the police personnel in the cannabis estate with sticks and locally used cutters. They alleged that local police station has been paid a handsome amount by the villagers for cultivation of cannabis.
Police opened one round in air to manage the situation and disperse the mob. However, there was no report of any casualty or injuries from any side. The mob ran away when police retaliated.
Bishalgarh area is known for cannabis cultivation for long time. The villagers shifted from paddy and vegetable cultivation to cannabis cultivation in Bishalgarh and Sonamura sub-divisions of West Tripura, which are supplied to Bangladesh illegally.