SHILLONG, Aug 3 (PTI) - Terming smuggling of ganja as an alarming problem in the North East, a top customs official today said most of its cultivation in the region was being done by illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.
"We destroyed over 50 bighas of illicit opium cultivation in Assam last year and in most cases it was found that the cultivators were of suspected nationality. Most of the ganja is grown in the unkempt riverine belts," North East Commissioner of Customs (Preventive) SR Baruah said.
He said the cultivators even use power-tillers, fertilisers and irrigation facilities, resulting in high-yielding crop.
"The illegal migrants, mostly from Bangladesh, cultivate it on contract basis for the smugglers. The profit margin for the cultivators is about Rs 300 per kg," Baruah told PTI.
