Opium crop found on farmland linked to BJP leader in Chhattisgarh; party suspends him as Congress seeks probe

RAIPUR: Police have uncovered an illegal opium crop spread across nearly 1.5 acres of farmland in Durg district, triggering political controversy after the land was found to be linked to a local BJP kisan morcha leader. The crop was discovered during a police raid late on March 6 in Samoda village based on a tip-off and the alleged accused was detained by police. Soon after teh allegation, BJP state has suspended the alleged accused under disciplinary action.

Police said the crop had been strategically concealed by planting jowar around the field, making it difficult to detect from outside.




The alleged accused, identified as Vinayak Tamrakar, associated with the BJP Kisan Morcha, was detained for questioning, police said.

As news of the opium crop spread, hundreds of villagers gathered at the site to see the field, forcing police to cordon off the area. Eyewitnesses said there was jostling between villagers and police when officers tried to stop people from entering the field. Heavy police deployment was made to control the situation.



According to police, the opium cultivation appeared well planned. Officials said the plants were grown in the middle of a larger crop to avoid suspicion. Labourers working on the field were said to be from Khandwa district in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh.

Revenue officials, including the tehsildar and revenue inspector, were called to document the crop before further legal action.

Assistant superintendent of police Manishankar Chandra said police had acted on specific intelligence about illegal cultivation. “About one-and-a-half acres of suspected opium crop has been found. One suspect has been detained and investigation is underway,” he said.

Former CM Baghel visits site, raises questions

The incident took a political turn after former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel reached Samoda village with supporters on Saturday and inspected the field where the crop was found.

Baghel alleged that the accused had close links with political leaders and senior officials, which, he suggested, may have helped the activity remain undetected.

“Vinayak Tamrakar is said to be a influential person who has close access to ministers, MPs, MLAs and even senior officers. The question is how such cultivation could take place in such a large area without the administration noticing it,” Baghel said while speaking to reporters at the site.

Baghel sharpened his attack on the ruling BJP, asking whether the alleged opium cultivation was an isolated case or part of a wider network.

He further linked the case to the broader issue of narcotics in the state, saying that earlier drugs used to come from outside states but now cultivation itself was being reported locally.

Baghel alleged that “larger connections” between drug trafficking and political influence needed to be examined and demanded answers from chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai and home minister Vijay Sharma.

BJP spokesperson Ujjawal Deepak said that more than the act, it's about the action state police have taken, displaying an unbiased approach. "Besides, BJP has immediately acted against the alleged accused. Had it been Congress, they would have started selling the produce till now, with no action taken. We are not shying away, rather taking action."

Tamrakar, however, denied any involvement and called the action “politically motivated.” He claimed the land in question did not belong to him and it was given on lease.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Women's day wishes, messages and quotes !