HERAT CITY (PAN): Residents of Robate Sangi district in western Herat province resisted poppy eradication, however the officials continue to eradicate poppy.

The poppy eradication started from Chahel Dokhtran village of the district near Torghondi port of Turkmenistan on Monday.

The residents of the district resisted to the delegation headed by Sayed Hussian Anwari, Herat governor and complained over the eradication of poppy cultivations.

Anwari said they will enforce the decision of the government on complete eradication of poppy cultivation in the province.

He said according to the survey 1500 acre poppy cultivation was in Rubat Sangi and 1000 acre land in Shindand district. According Anwari so far 450 acre land has been cleared of poppy cultivation and the rest will be destroyed in near future.

He did not say what alternatives would be awarded to the two districts but added the government launched uplift projects in each district and understands the problem of people.

Colonel Abdul Raof Ahmadi, spokesman for regional police in western zone said they will not care about any request and will destroy poppy cultivation as it was illegal and forbidden in Islam.

He added no reward will be given in exchange of poppy cultivation destruction

He said the poppy eradication will continue in the western zone Herat, Farah, Ghor and Badghis provinces until the end of cultivation.

Abdul Matin a farmer said there is severe drought, we can not irrigate farms for grains, people are obliged to grow poppy, but government destroys them.

He added: "We know poppy cultivation is forbidden, but we have no other option to feed our family"

He said the government should come with alternative and uplift projects, not with force and destroy our cultivation without any reason.

mnm/ajr