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FAIZABAD (SW) – Local officials in Badakhshan and officials of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime have noted that poppy cultivation has doubled in the province compared to the last year.
Mohammad Hussein Jalili, UNODC coordinator in Badakhshan, told Salam Watandar the increase in poppy cultivation is mainly due to ragging insecurity and the increasing clout of the illegally armed groups. According to him, the government's inaction towards implementing law has led to increased poppy cultivation.
Commenting on this, Mohammad Qaid Afandi, head of the provincial drug control department, said that poppy cultivation in Badakhshan was literally zero three years ago, but after growing insecurity and the lack of compliance with the law, the poppy cultivation has surged.
According to the provincial police chief, Muhammad Saber Aryan, poppy cultivation is the main source for the Taliban hence it is crucial to eradicate it on priority.
Officials informed they have started a campaign to eradicate poppy cultivation in a number of districts, and up to 200 hectares of land have been cleared of poppy cultivation in the past ten days.
ENDS
