Tapir Gao Raises Opium Cultivation Issue in Lok Sabha
New Delhi, March 30: Tapir Gao, Member of Parliament from Arunachal East, raised the issue of legalising opium cultivation in parts of Arunachal Pradesh during a session of the Lok Sabha, specifically highlighting districts which border Myanmar in the eastern Arunachal that fall within his constituency. Highlighting the historical context, Gao stated that opium cultivation has existed in the region since the British era and has become embedded in the traditional practices of certain tribal communities in eastern Arunachal Pradesh. He noted that despite its long-standing presence, the Narcotics Control Bureau continues to conduct annual drives to destroy illicit poppy cultivation in these areas. Raising concerns over the recurring destruction of crops and its impact on local communities, Gao questioned whether the Centre could explore the possibility of legalising opium cultivation under a regulated framework for commercial purposes. He suggested that such an approach could help b...