|
Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
|
|
India: HP villagers demand compensation following cannabis cultivation crackdown
NewKarela.com Friday 22 Oct 2004 Malama (Himachal Pradesh): Residents of Malama village in Himachal Pradesh are up in arms against the authorities for not giving them compensation after a crackdown on their cannabis cultivation. Residents of the village, a treacherous 12 km hike from the nearest motorable road, have also accused the government of ignoring their repeated pleas for alternative jobs and rehabilatitation. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) have launched a massive crackdown on farmers cultivating cannabis without license. More than 14,000 acres of illegally grown cannabis crop land has so far been cleared. "We have no help, there is no money with the school authorities to even hold classes for our children. They said they will help even the uneducated youth get employment in hotels and other establishment but not a single village boy is employed. There is no rehabilitation," said Bodh Ram, a villager. The natural bounty of Malama has made it a haven for smokers of pot with almost everyone here being involved in the illegal trade. Most of the families have been growing cannabis for over five generations. Narcotics officials say they have drawn up plans along with the provincial government to rehabilitate villagers. "We are not only talking about alternative cropping but also assistance to state. We have formulated in the last year to provide assistance to state who have any plans," said NCB Zonal Director Srikant Jadhav. The Kullu Valley, with over 2,000 foreigners who visit every month in search of bliss and nirvana which they reportedly attain through drugs, is fast becoming the drug capital of the country. Many of them never ever return. (ANI)
After you have finished reading this article you can click here to go back.
|
This page was created by the Cannabis Campaigners' Guide.
Feel free to link to this page!