Illegal poppy cultivated in 600 acres destroyed, Manipur crackdown on

Imphal: Security forces carried out extensive operations against illicit poppy cultivation in Manipur, destroying large tracts of poppy plantations measuring over 600 acres in Ukhrul and Kangpokpi districts in five days starting from Dec 16.

Official sources said approximately 559 acres of poppy plantations were destroyed at various locations in Ukhrul district during the period. The areas covered include the hill ranges of Yaolen, Lamlai Chingphei, Shongphel and Mullam under Litan Police Station, and Torah, Champhung, Teinem, Phalee and Changta under Somdal Police Station.


During the operations, 82 huts found at the plantation sites were destroyed and poppy pods were seized. In connection with the drive, three FIRs have been registered and further legal action is underway.

Meanwhile, security forces on Saturday destroyed 42 acres of poppy plantations at the hill ranges of L Simol, Jangnomphai and SP Ngaimun areas in Kangpokpi district.

Altogether 20 huts, 15 packets of salt, 5kg of fertiliser, five litres of herbicide, and 5kg of poppy seeds found at the poppy plantation sites were also destroyed.

Officials said the operations are part of the ongoing campaign to eradicate illegal poppy cultivation and combat the drug menace in the state, adding that similar drives will continue in the coming days.

Meanwhile, security forces recovered one IED weighing around 9kg, three 12 bore live rounds and 13 fired cases of different calibres from Monglham Base and adjoining foothill areas under Thoubal Dam police station in Imphal East district.