Sipahijala (Tripura) [India], January 10 (HBTV): The Assam Rifles, in a joint operation with the Police and Tripura Forest Service, have destroyed a ganja plantation spread over 16.2 hectares in the Boxanagar Forest Range under Sonamura sub-division.

The operation led to the eradication of 16,500 cannabis plants, valued at approximately INR 70 lakh, according to a press release issued by Assam Rifles on Thursday.

This initiative was part of a larger mission aimed at curbing illicit activities and fostering a drug-free environment in the region. The joint effort, supported significantly by the local administration, underscored the importance of collective action in tackling such challenges, the release added.

In a related operation earlier this week, Assam Rifles recovered 10,320 kilograms of illegal areca nuts worth approximately INR 72.24 lakh in Zote, Champhai district of Mizoram. This operation, conducted on January 4, was a collaborative effort between Assam Rifles and representatives of the Customs Preventive Force, Champhai.

On January 5, in another successful series of joint operations, the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, CRPF, and Manipur Police recovered 42 weapons, ammunition, and warlike stores from the hill and valley regions of Imphal West, Chandel, Thoubal, Kangpokpi, and Churachandpur districts in Manipur.

Recovered items included a Carbine Machine Gun (CMG), a modified .303 rifle, two 9mm pistols, three single-barrel rifles, grenades, and ammunition. In a separate operation on December 31, 2024, Assam Rifles and Manipur Police recovered one M-16 rifle, three Lathods, seven improvised explosive devices (IEDs), ammunition, and other warlike stores between Thingphai and TS Laijang village in Chandel district.

(ANI)