SIT formed in Khargone to probe illegal cannabis cultivation on forest land; forest officials get notices

Barwani/Khargone: A special investigation team was formed in Khargone district to probe large-scale illegal cannabis cultivation detected on forest land. Forest officials in Madhya Pradesh’s Barwani and Khargone districts have also issued notices to officers and beat guards, seeking written explanations over alleged negligence.Khargone superintendent of police Ravindra Verma told TOI that Khargone police have constituted a special investigation team after seizing 60 quintals of cannabis plants from two forest sites in Chainpur police station area. The SIT will arrest the accused, identify key players behind the operation and trace the supply chain, Verma said. Police are searching for four named accused.Khargone DFO Ramesh Rathod told TOI thathe had directed four range officers and 12 beat guards to patrol areas near the Maharashtra border, identify illegal cannabis cultivation and report it. Rathod said the forest department had not received any police letters seeking cancellation of forest leases or pattas. Once received, the department would prepare proposals and forward them to the collector.Sub-divisional forest officer Mukesh Merawi said divisional forest officer IS Gadria has issued notices to four deputy rangers and eight beat guards in Barwani district, seeking explanations for their failure to detect large-scale cannabis cultivation.Merawi, posted in Balwadi sub-division of Sendhwa forest division, said all forest staff had been directed to patrol forest areas regularly and immediately report any cannabis cultivation to the department.Following major seizures in the Warla police station area of Barwani, police identified farmers allegedly involved. Warla police station in-charge Narayan Rawal said they included Kalu Singh of Takia Pani, Micha and Kamal Singh of Dhokaliya Pani, Vachan of Adnadi and Khelajiya of Sonkhedi.Barwani superintendent of police Padma Vilochan Shukla said a letter has been sent seeking cancellation of forest land leases held by those involved. Police were searching for them and examining their CDR and bank records, he added.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Indore | Silver Rate in Indore | Bank Holidays in Indore | Public Holidays in Indore | Petrol Price in Indore | Diesel Price in Indore | CNG Price in Indore | LPG Price in IndoreStay updated with the latest Indore news. Download the TOI App.