Jamshedpur shops selling ‘Bhang’ come under the scanner as Holi draws near

Jamshedpur, March 14: After tightening the noose on the bootleggers, the Excise department’s East Singhbhum unit has decided to conduct raids at places where ‘Bhang’ is being sold prior to Holi.

A special team of the Excise department’s investigation wing will start random raids at the sweetmeat shops and hotels across the city to ensure that Bhang is not being sold unauthorised.

Bhang which is a highly intoxicating substance is freely consumed during the festival of colours along the side of the liquor across Jharkhand and Bihar.  A psychonarcotic drug, Bhang or cannabis is consumed by the Holi revellers even including women as it gives a pleasant feeling for a prolonged period, thus adding some added pleasure in the festivity.

The Bhang is consumed in a raw form, but during the Holi the people tend to take in serbet or mixed with sweetmeats.  Several sweetmeat shops owners keep a stock of “Bhang Burfi” at the shop across the city, including the markets like Bistupur as the ambience comes closer.

An official of East Singhbhum district unit of Excise department said they have planned to carry out raids in the sweetmeat shops and hotels as they have got information that Bhang Burfi are on sale.

“Selling of Bhang Burfi is permissible only if the shopkeeper or owner of a hotel obtains permission from the Excise department for the same.  But we have not received any application seeking permission for the sale of this narcotic substance,” he said.

The Excise inspector said as the sale of any narcotic drug in any form is prohibited they would conduct the raid and nab those found flouting the rules.  He said if anyone is nabbed while selling the Bhang in any form then he will have to pay a penalty of Rs 1,000.

Bhang Burfies are on sale in about a dozen sweetmeat shops and hotels in Bistupur alone.

Sources informed that the substance can be mixed in sweets made with nuts and condensed milk and decorated with silver and gold edible foil. In its diluted form, bhang offers a mild buzz. Consuming it in large quantities is akin to smoking weed.

 “ As per our information, Bhang is generally made from green ganja leaves, which do not come under the definition of a narcotic. Another alternative raw material could be poppy seeds. Its straw is used to derive opium, which when processed, gives heroin,” explained an official, adding that even chemical analysis of bhang samples will not help establish the raw material used.