SSP Budgam Hariprasad K K Issues 24-Hour Ultimatum to Destroy Illegal Poppy Cultivation

Arif Rashid
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22 Apr 2026

Budgam, April 22: Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Budgam, Hariprasad K K, on Wednesday issued a strict directive giving residents across the district 24 hours to destroy any illegally cultivated poppy plants in their kitchen gardens, paddy fields, orchards, or adjoining areas.

SSP Hariprasad K K warned that failure to comply within the stipulated time frame would invite strict legal action against those found involved in such cultivation.

"All residents who have grown poppy plants on their private land, including kitchen gardens and orchards, must ensure that these are destroyed within 24 hours,” SSP Budgam told the Rising Kashmir.

Hariprasad that all police stations and police posts across Budgam district have been activated and will conduct extensive drives to identify and eradicate illegal poppy cultivation.

The SSP said that the cultivation or possession of poppy is a punishable offence under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, adding that violators will face stringent legal consequences after the deadline.

He also appealed to religious leaders, including mosque imams, to help disseminate the message among the public and encourage compliance, as part of collective efforts to curb drug abuse.

Reaffirming the police’s commitment to eliminating the menace of illegal narcotics, SSP Budgam urged the public to cooperate and report any instances of poppy cultivation to the nearest police establishment.