300 hectares land cleared of poppy in Nangarhar
JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Poppy crop on 300 hectares of land has been destroyed in four districts of eastern Nangarhar province as part of an ongoing poppy-eradication campaign.
The illicit crop is cultivated on about 14,000 hectares of land in 14 districts of the province this year, registering an increase in the plant’s cultivation in Rodat, Surkhrod and Dara-i-Noor districts.
This year’s anti-poppy campaign in Nangarhar witnessed security challenges including armed resistance from Taliban insurgents and drug mafia.
Nangarhar counternarcotics head Idrees Sapai told Pajhwok Afghan News the campaigners came under attacks from Taliban militants in some areas during the 13-day-old drive.
“Mafia circles and Taliban encourage poppy cultivation and they have assured protection of the crop during the government’s anti-poppy campaign.” He said so far 1,500 hectares of land had been cleared of poppies in seven districts.
Local farmers criticized the timing of the campaign as the crop was near to be harvested. They said the government should have launched the drive during the crop’s cultivation.
sns/ma
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