LASHKARGAH (SW): Poppy cultivation has seen a worrying three-fold rise in the Garmsir district of the southern Helmand province.
Locals in this district that lies next to the Durand Line with Pakistan, told Salam Watandar that poppy has been cultivated on some 15, 000 hecters of land. Last year, the area under poppy was limited to around 500 hectares.
Haji Turyali, a local here believed though the increased cultivation benefits the farmers but it certainly leaves negative impacts on the whole society. Mohammad Afzal Lala, a local elder expressed fears that the increase in poppy cultivation would result in more violence and corruption in the province.
Lala blamed the provincial government for not taking steps to counter it. He also charged the police for taking afn 250 as bribe per jerib for not damaging the poppy crop. The locals believe alternative income opportunities can change things around and move people away from cultivating poppy.
Ayub Umar Umri, district chief in Garmist acknowledges the fact that more area has come under poppy cultivation this year. He said that the provincial government has been approached to help dismantle the poppy cultivated here and the district authorities await their directives.
As per the provincial counter narcotics department, a total of 8000 hectares of land in the province is under poppy cultivation. He however, acknowledged that no information was available with them about the situation with regard to poppy cultivation in areas under the Taliban’s influence.
Meanwhile, Timor Shah, the district police chief has affirmed the reports about rise in poppy cultivation here. Without giving specific details, he told Salam Watandar that more poppy has been cultivated in Garmsir in comparison to the past.
The district police chief stated that ensuring peace and stability in the area was their primary task. He rejected allegations about taking bribes for not dismantling the poppy crops.
ENDS
