The police, however, appear to be oblivious to this new development. Locals claim that the police personnel, who come to inspect the fields, are bribed and sent back.
"Since the locals have turned to marijuana farming, theft has also been increasing in the district," complained a local teacher.
According to a local, the price of land had gone up since marijuana farming became rampant in the villages. "Farmers can plant weeds worth more than Rs 50,000, where they could merely produce rice worth Rs 5, 000 earlier," he said.
Marijuana trade in the district reportedly starts from December. Businessmen from India and Siraha are allegedly involved in the trade. Marijuana is traded for Rs 1000 to Rs 2000 per kilo.
Investigation into the illegal trade of marijuana will be launched in December, the police said. "We have been trying to track down the secret routes that tradesmen use to smuggle marijuana."
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