War Against Maoists In India

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<b>Poppy grown by Maoists destroyed in Bihar </b><!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Patna, Feb 20 (IANS) Authorities in Bihar have destroyed poppy crops allegedly grown by Maoists. Opium is made from the poppy. “A joint team of police and excise department officials destroyed poppy crops grown by Maoists in Gaya district Tuesday,” a police official told IANS.

However, any Maoists or their agents involved in poppy cultivation could not be arrested, the official said.

<b>“We have destroyed the crops grown on 24 acres of land under Imamganj police station area,”</b> Omprakash Singh, a senior excise department official said Imamganj and its adjoining areas in Gaya are considered the strongholds of outlawed Communist Party of Indian-Maoist.

Singh said the leftist guerrillas cultivate poppy to fund their illegal activities. He said police had received a tip-off about opium crops grown by the insurgents.

According to the police <b>Maoists are also engaged in opium cultivation in forest areas bordering Jharkhand besides in Gaya and Hazaribagh districts of Jharkhand</b>.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->