Although growing poppy, the raw material for opium, is banned, it is allegedly being grown under cover of flower gardens at Rajshahi University (RU). Poppy is growing in flower gardens from the vice-chancellor's residence to the residential halls. After the matter came to light on Friday (13 March), poppy plants were removed from the university's Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall.

A tour of the university found poppies with white, red, pink and yellow flowers growing on campus. The banned plants are at Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall, Syed Ameer Ali Hall, Motihar Hall, Madar Bux Hall, Shaheed Shamsuzzoha Hall, Sher-e-Bangla AK Fazlul Huq Hall, the provost's residence, Momtaz Uddin Arts Building and the vice-chancellor's residence. Though the poppies grow among other flowers, the administration has paid no attention.

When shown photographs of the plants along with some flowers and fruit, Prof Dr Monjur Hossain of the university's botany department identified them as banned poppy. He said he had not known there were poppy plants on campus, but the administration should be more alert to such matters.

University proctor Prof Dr Lutfor Rahman said he did not know about the matter and so could not comment. If it proves true, he said, action will be taken.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.