Maoist support to cannabis farming in Orissa: report

An inquiry commission report has said that Maoists in Orissa are supporting extensive cultivation of cannabis ganja in the hilly and inaccessible areas of the state for spreading their base.

Justice P K Mohanty Commission of Inquiry, which recently submitted its report on the activities and operation of drug mafia in the state, has detailed how the cultivation of ganja in Maoist-affected districts is being supported by Chasi Mulia Samiti, a frontal organisation of CPIMaoists. Chasi Mulia Samiti was banned by the state Government in 2006 along with six other front organisations 8212; Daman Pratirodh Manch, Revolutionary Democratic Front, Kui Lawanga Sangh, Jana Natya Mandali, Krantikari Kisan Samiti and Bal Sangam.

The report, based on an extensive investigation by former chief of state Criminal Investigation Department Amarananda Pattanayak and his team of CID sleuths in 2003 says cannabis is being cultivated at the behest of ultras in Ganjam, Gajapti and Malkangiri districts.

The former CID chief8217;s report says about 3,000-4,000 hectares of encroached forest land mostly dominated by People8217;s War Group the precursor of CPI-Maoist are being utilised for cultivation of cannabis. It says Bargarh district has emerged as the epicentre of this trade.