Cultivation of illegal opium has been discovered in the Tamnar area of Raigarh and this is one more in addition to other instances, which had been reported in Durg and Balrampur district. The problem has provoked a political controversy as the former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has started intense attacks on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) administration.
Baghel had claimed that the current administration is expanding on illegal activities such as drug cultivation and that such activities were forcing the young people into substance abuse. He also said that he has also heard unverified reports of similar opium cultivation in Nagri-Sihawa area.
As presented in his arguments, there was a massive opium farm occupying almost 20 acres of a farmhouse which was allegedly owned by a BJP leader. Baghel claimed that some time after he brought the matter to the limelight, bulldozers were used to destroy the crop on the site indicating that there was an effort to hide the matter.
The former chief minister accused members of the ruling party to facilitate the activities that might be detrimental to the society and weaken law enforcement. He said that these kinds of incidences represent an increasingly nexus that might be detrimental to the safety and rule of law within the state.
The government has not put forth an elaborate reaction to the accusations. Yet, the exposures have escalated the political issue in Chhattisgarh, as those on the opposition side are seeking a detailed enquiry of the so-called illegal cultivation and take tough measures against the individuals detected to be involved.