In an attempt to curb ganja (cannabis) cultivation, the Kumram Bheem Asifabad police have sought the intervention of the government departments concerned to stop financial assistance under the ‘Rythu Bharosa’ to those found clandestinely cultivating ganja in their agricultural fields.

The move gained significance at a time when the police ramped up a drive against ganja cultivation and smuggling in Kumram Bheem Asifabad district, bordering Maharashtra.

This follows a series of raids by the police that unearthed cultivation of cannabis plants in a clandestine manner in Jainoor and Kerameri mandals in recent weeks.

The Task Force personnel on Sunday (October 5) seized 10 cannabis plants in an agricultural field in Kohinoor (K) village of Sirpur (U) mandal in the district.

As many as 51 cases have been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (MDPS) Act in which 95 persons have been arrested in the district so far this year, the police said.

The contraband seized in 51 cases in various parts of the district included 14.767 kg dry ganja and 472 ganja plants together valued at around ₹50 lakh.

In a statement, Kumram Bheem Asifabad Superintendent of Police Patil Kantilal Subhash urged people to report incidents of ganja cultivation, peddling and smuggling by dialling 8712670551 or 100.