Rourkela: A five-member police team from Sundargarh district’s Koida police station went to Jharkhand on Monday to trace an accused in an illegal opium poppy cultivation case, who fled from custody two days ago. Three constables of Koida police station were suspended by Rourkela SP Nitesh Wadhwani on Sunday for alleged negligence in duty.During a joint raid by police and excise officers on a forest land near Pundupokhari village on Saturday, Balram Borondiya, 32, and Budhuwa Horo, 23, both Jharkhand natives working as labourers, were detained after it was found that opium was being illegally cultivated on five acres. The entire opium crop, worth around Rs 40 lakh, was destroyed.Around 5 pm on Saturday, both were being taken to the Koida community health centre for medical examination by three constables, when Balram managed to flee. Budhuwa was arrested by Koida police later that night.The Koida police team left for Jharkhand on Monday to trace Balram. Police have also launched manhunt to nab eight more accused involved in opium cultivation.
