The addicts on Thursday thronged doda post (poppy husk) shops on NH-15 in Barmer to possibly get the last supply as the excise department is set to impose a ban on it from today. The haste among the addicts was such that trails of vehicles on either side of the road disrupted flow of the traffic. In order to maintain law and order situation, the police rushed to the spot and resumed smooth flow of traffic at the highway. Situation across the district remained tensed though, sources informed. One of the addicts tried to commit suicide after he could not get his poppy dose. He fell unconscious after consuming pesticide, said Budharam Vishnoi, SHO, Baytu.

Officials of excise department said that all the doda post shop owners will have to stop the sell from April 1 as it is court's order. It may be noted here that doda post is primarily cultivated in south Rajasthan while mostly consumed in western and northern Rajasthan. There are as many 2,441 registered doda post addicts in Barmer district, whereas over 12,000 people are estimated to be consuming it without registration.

As per the excise police for 2016-17, the government has refused to renew the licenses of doda post shops following the Rajasthan High Court order. Therefore, the ban apparently means shunning of 'thekas' across the state from April 1.