Patna, the decreasing influence of Naxalites in the state has also affected the illegal opium cultivation. Due to the intensive operation of Bihar Police and Central Security Forces, their scope is now limited to the forest areas bordering Jharkhand. In these areas too, action is being taken by identifying illegal opium fields with the help of satellite images and drones.

Opium crop destroyed in about eight hundred acres in six months

The Economic Offenses Unit (EOU) of Bihar Police, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and other central security agencies have destroyed illegal cultivation of opium and other narcotics in about eight hundred acres in the last six months.

Opium in 790.5 acres, while illegal cannabis farm in 21.54 acres has been destroyed. 146 FIRs have also been registered in this case, on the basis of which action is being taken by identifying the accused.

The number of Naxal-affected districts has halved

The number of Naxal-affected districts in Bihar has halved in the last six years. While 16 districts were Naxal-affected in the year 2018, now only seven-eight districts are affected by Naxalism. North Bihar has been declared Naxal-free.

Now in South Bihar, the remaining Naxal-affected areas adjoining Jharkhand are being identified and means of security and communication are being strengthened. This is also having an effect. Earlier, areas where the police and security forces did not have access, are now being patrolled continuously. Due to this, opium cultivation or other illegal work has reduced in these areas.

According to senior police officials, now opium cultivation is mainly limited to the forest areas adjoining Jharkhand. This includes Chakarbandha and Dhangai of Gaya and some areas of Aurangabad, where this year a joint operation has been conducted by Bihar Police and central agencies.

People are cooperating in the operation

People are cooperating in this operation and the people living nearby are also informing the police about these illegal activities. The police claim that soon the Naxal effect along with opium cultivation will become a thing of the past in these remote forest areas.

This is how the effect is decreasing

Year Opium crop destroyed
2022-23 1289.60 acres
2023-24 2486.70 acres
2024-25 812.04 acres