Tripura, 08 Dec 2025: A large anti-narcotics operation in Sepahijala district on Sunday took an emotional turn when a woman cultivator collapsed after witnessing security forces destroy vast illegal ganja plantations in Ramnagar’s Puran Paghli Bari area.
The operation, led by Bishramganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ajit Debbarma, involved nearly 150 personnel from TSR’s 1st and 11th Battalions, CRPF, forest officials and women police. The teams entered a rubber plantation belonging to the Forest Department, where cultivators had allegedly used hectares of land to grow mature ganja plants.
As demolition work began, panic and distress spread among the cultivators most of them women. Several rushed forward, crying and pleading with the officers.
One woman begged, “Sir, please don’t destroy our crops. My daughter’s wedding is this month.”
Another added tearfully, “My son studies in a hostel. How will I pay his fees if this goes?”
A third woman said, “My husband is bedridden. This is all we have.”
Some cultivators fell to their knees, joining their hands and pleading:
“Sir, this is our last hope… don’t cut everything.”
Despite the pleas, the security forces proceeded, explaining that the cultivation was illegal. In the chaos, a woman suddenly collapsed inside the plantation. Other cultivators splashed water on her face and managed to revive her.
A few male cultivators also attempted to resist, wielding sticks and shouting, “Stop cutting! Don’t touch our fields!”
However, the overwhelming presence of security forces forced them to retreat.
By midday, the joint team had cleared 32 forest plots, destroying more than four lakh mature ganja plants, estimated to be worth ₹20–25 crore in the illegal market.
Speaking to the media after the operation, OC Ajit Debbarma said the team encountered significant resistance.
“Some cultivators tried to block our entry by felling a large tree on the road,” he said.
“But ganja cultivation is illegal, and we will continue such operations. Our message is clear—stop growing ganja.”
He confirmed that the anti-ganja drive in the Bishramganj jurisdiction will continue in the coming days.
Sepahijala district has long been known as one of Tripura’s main hubs of illegal cultivation. Despite frequent large-scale destruction drives, new plantations continue to emerge, showing the deep-rooted dependency of many families on the trade.
