Law & Order: Police uprooted marijuana plants from a two-acre field above Wangdue bridge below Rinchengang village, yesterday.

More than 25 police personnel were involved in the uprooting operation.

Police officials said they uprooted the marijuana plants to mark No Tobacco Day and to reduce use of marijuana among youth in Wangdue.

Students studying in classes IX, X and XII were caught in possession of marijuana, last year.

This year, students of classes V, VII and XI, XII were also caught in possession of controlled substances.

About 23 people were caught possessing controlled substances last year, of which two cases were related to tobacco. Six of them were students.

According to the police, possession of controlled substances, especially marijuana, has seen an increase this year.

By Dawa Gyelmo, Wangdue