Tripura destroys ganja cultivation on over 12,000 hectares, arrests made for obstructing drives

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, March 17, 2026

The Tripura government has destroyed illegal cannabis cultivation spread across 12,479.98 hectares during the past three years as part of an intensified anti-drug campaign, the state assembly was informed on Monday.The information was provided in a written reply by the Home Department in response to a query raised by CPI(M) MLA Nayan Sarkar. According to the reply, law enforcement agencies carried out large-scale operations to curb illegal ganja cultivation across different districts of the state.During the period under review, Tripura Police conducted 793 anti-cannabis drives, leading to the destruction of 5,24,25,791 ganja plants. Authorities also seized cannabis valued at around Rs 54 crore during these operations.The government stated that the confiscated narcotic substances were disposed of in accordance with legal provisions. Acting on court directives, the seized cannabis was destroyed under the supervision of the High Level Drug Disposal Committee and the State Level Drug Disposal Committee. The disposal process was carried out at an isolated location in the Bodhjungnagar industrial area near Agartala, where the contraband was burnt in the presence of committee members to ensure adherence to prescribed procedures.According to the reply, a total of 1,33,418.625 kilograms of seized ganja was destroyed during the period.

The government also informed the house that two individuals were arrested for alleged cannabis cultivation, while several others were detained for obstructing anti-ganja destruction drives. Police have filed charge sheets in these cases and the matters are currently under trial.Among all districts, Sepahijala recorded the highest extent of destroyed cannabis plantations during the period, the reply added.

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