KHAR: Political administration on Monday destroyed poppy crop in various areas of Nawagai tehsil.

Sources told Dawn that the action had been taken on a tip-off that people of a number of villages in the tehsil had grown poppy. They said the action had been carried out with the support of Bajaur Levies.

According to the sources, it was the first time since 1996 that poppy had been cultivated in the area.

When contacted, Bajaur Agency Political Agent Abdul Amir Khattak, confirmed to Dawn the launch of anti-poppy operation in Nawagai, saying poppy cultivation had been reported from the area after a long time. However, he did not specify the quantity of poppy destroyed during the operation.

Mr Khattak said the political administration was committed to keeping the agency free of poppy.

Replying to a question, the political agent said an action to destroy poppy grown on a large scale in Barang tehsil would be launched soon.

According to the area people, poppy has been cultivated on large swathes of land in Barang tehsil during the current season. They told Dawn that cultivation of poppy in the most backward and far-flung region of the agency was in reaction to the administration’s failure to take steps for provision of basic needs to the people.

It is pertinent to mention here that the people of Barang have signed several agreements with the local administration during the past three years to not cultivate poppy.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2016