Clash in Tripura over anti-cannabis drive, 4 injured

Agartala: Tension gripped Manikyanagar under Kalamchoura police station in Tripura’s Sepahijala district on Tuesday morning after a violent clash broke out between local cannabis cultivators and security personnel during an anti-narcotics operation, leaving four security personnel injured.

According to official reports, a joint team of Tripura Police and Assam Rifles launched an operation to destroy illegal cannabis plantations in the area. Before they could reach the sites, a large group of residents and cultivators blocked the road and resisted, triggering a confrontation.


The situation escalated as villagers allegedly pelted stones and bricks at the security forces. In response, police and Assam Rifles personnel fired around 40 warning shots into the air to disperse the crowd.

Four security personnel were injured in the clash, including a police constable who sustained serious injuries and was rushed to Bishalgarh hospital for treatment. No civilian casualties have been officially confirmed. Eyewitnesses claimed women were among the first to obstruct the operation, while several men attempted to cut down and conceal cannabis plants to prevent their destruction.

Protests erupted after the incident, with locals demanding legalisation of cannabis cultivation. Many argued that cannabis farming is a vital source of livelihood for poor families, while synthetic drugs like Yaba tablets and certain cough syrups pose greater harm to Tripura’s youth. Protesters accused the administration of targeting cultivators while ignoring trafficking of harder substances. Some villagers also demanded broader reforms, saying if cannabis is banned, liquor shops across the state should also be shut down.

Similar anti-cannabis drives have recently been conducted in Mohanpur, Sidhai, and Lembuchara, often in the early morning to avoid resistance. Authorities typically clear plantations by cutting and burning crops on-site. However, Tuesday’s confrontation was among the most violent in recent memory.

Heavy police and central force deployment continues in the region to prevent further unrest. Senior police officials have warned of strict action against those who attacked security forces, and investigations are underway to identify the instigators. The police reaffirmed their commitment to continuing anti-cannabis operations as part of the state govt’s wider anti-drug campaign despite local opposition.