Poppy had been cultivated from centuries in this area, which had been the major source of income of the inhabitants of the area. To eradicate this menace, the government in 1986, firmly decided to stop its cultivation. Consequently, the government, on March 8, 1986, launched a drive to eradicate poppy crop, during which an unpleasant incident took place at Gandaf area, in which five precious lives were lost (according to an other version eight person were killed). Later, in order to prevent largescale poppy cultivation and provide alternate employment opportunities to the people, the government
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established an industrial area, called the Gadoon Amazai Industrial Estate.
Unfortunately, both the unhappy incidents occurred (1950 and 1986) during the reines of Muslim League (Abdul Qayyum Khan & Arbab Jehangir Khan).
The print media gave wide publicity to this uncalled for incident. The Daily Frontier Post Peshawar, March 9, 1986, described the incident in the following manner:
“120 CULTIVATORS ARRESTED IN GADOON AREA. 5 DIE IN BLOODY SHOWDOWN OVER POPPY GROWTH
“Five persons died and 31 others sustained injuries as a result of exchange of fire between the law enforcing agencies and the poppy cultivators in the Gadoon area of Swabi Tehsil on Saturday, according to APP.
The exchange of fire occurred during the operation for destroying the illegal poppy cultivation in the Gadoon area. At least 120 persons were arrested.”
PRESS NOTE
The District Magistrate of Mardan issued the following press note on that occassion:
”Due to the rising menace of heroin addiction in the country, particularly in un-educated youth, the Government had previously decided to stop all the poppy cultivators gradually in Gadoon area, District
Unfortunately, both the unhappy incidents occurred (1950 and 1986) during the reines of Muslim League (Abdul Qayyum Khan & Arbab Jehangir Khan).
The print media gave wide publicity to this uncalled for incident. The Daily Frontier Post Peshawar, March 9, 1986, described the incident in the following manner:
“120 CULTIVATORS ARRESTED IN GADOON AREA. 5 DIE IN BLOODY SHOWDOWN OVER POPPY GROWTH
“Five persons died and 31 others sustained injuries as a result of exchange of fire between the law enforcing agencies and the poppy cultivators in the Gadoon area of Swabi Tehsil on Saturday, according to APP.
The exchange of fire occurred during the operation for destroying the illegal poppy cultivation in the Gadoon area. At least 120 persons were arrested.”
PRESS NOTE
The District Magistrate of Mardan issued the following press note on that occassion:
”Due to the rising menace of heroin addiction in the country, particularly in un-educated youth, the Government had previously decided to stop all the poppy cultivators gradually in Gadoon area, District
The Jadoons 59
Mardan, according to a phased program. Last year Union council, Gandaf, was cleared of poppy and this year the enforcement of law was to be carried out in the Union Councils of Kabgani and Ganichatra. In spite of the fact that the special development program costing Rs. 30 crore was being implemented and despite the warning of district authorities not to cultivate the illegal poppy crop in the area, it was cultivated in the two Union councils. It was also grown in the previously non-growing parts of Gandaf Union Council. The local administration of Mardan warned the growers in the Jirga to refrain from the cultivation of the opium. The crop was grown and guarantees were given by the local elected representatives that due protection shall be provided for this illegal crop.
On March 4, the Provincial Government after consultation with the Federal Government made it clear that poppy will not be allowed to be extracted and in no case the ban will be relaxed. To relieve the hardships, the growers were further offered wheat and sugar on 50 percent subsidy as relief as a measure of additional grace. However, the elected representatives of Gadoon still insisted on harvesting the illegal poppy crop.
The government pleaded with the locals requesting them to destroy the poppy crop, voluntarily. After all the peaceful overtures of the government had failed, joint police and Frontier Constabulary Force entered the area on the morning of March 8, 1986 to destroy the poppy crop.
The force was fired upon by the locals. They also stoned the police. The road was blocked with stones and the Gandaf poppy cultivators and others
On March 4, the Provincial Government after consultation with the Federal Government made it clear that poppy will not be allowed to be extracted and in no case the ban will be relaxed. To relieve the hardships, the growers were further offered wheat and sugar on 50 percent subsidy as relief as a measure of additional grace. However, the elected representatives of Gadoon still insisted on harvesting the illegal poppy crop.
The government pleaded with the locals requesting them to destroy the poppy crop, voluntarily. After all the peaceful overtures of the government had failed, joint police and Frontier Constabulary Force entered the area on the morning of March 8, 1986 to destroy the poppy crop.
The force was fired upon by the locals. They also stoned the police. The road was blocked with stones and the Gandaf poppy cultivators and others
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occupied the hilltops. The local elected members instigated the masses to take up arms against the law enforcing agencies.
They held meetings at various places and refused peaceful overtures to enforce the ban on poppy cultivation.
During the confrontation, armed procession of the locals repeatedly fired on the law-enforcing agencies. These were dispersed with teargas. On two occasions, the law-enforcing agencies had to resort to firing. As a result of this action, five persons died and 31 received injuries, including members from law and order forces and FIR has been registered and 120 persons have been arrested. The MRD and some other political parties have tried to capitalize on this issue and took out procession in Topi and Swabi in support of poppy growers. However, no untoward incident occurred during these agitations.
As a result of the operation on March 8, Approx: 925 Kanals of poppy crop was destroyed, which is about half of the local poppy cultivated area.”
They held meetings at various places and refused peaceful overtures to enforce the ban on poppy cultivation.
During the confrontation, armed procession of the locals repeatedly fired on the law-enforcing agencies. These were dispersed with teargas. On two occasions, the law-enforcing agencies had to resort to firing. As a result of this action, five persons died and 31 received injuries, including members from law and order forces and FIR has been registered and 120 persons have been arrested. The MRD and some other political parties have tried to capitalize on this issue and took out procession in Topi and Swabi in support of poppy growers. However, no untoward incident occurred during these agitations.
As a result of the operation on March 8, Approx: 925 Kanals of poppy crop was destroyed, which is about half of the local poppy cultivated area.”
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