Manipur: Illicit Poppy Cultivation Destroyed in Churachandpur's Haopi Mollen Hill Range by Police

Imphal: Authorities in Manipur destroyed four acres of illicit poppy crops in Churachandpur district, near the Myanmar border, ahead of the harvesting season. The operation took place on Wednesday in the Haopi Mollen hill range under the supervision of an Executive Magistrate.

A joint team comprising Manipur Police, 37 Assam Rifles, the Forest Department, and the Executive Magistrate carried out the destruction based on intelligence inputs.

While no arrests were made, an FIR has been filed, and efforts are underway to identify the cultivators. During the operation, 10 poppy pods were seized, and herbicides were sprayed on remaining plants.

Chief Minister N. Biren Singh lauded the operation, noting the destroyed fields could have yielded around 12 kg of opium, contributing to the state's "War on Drugs." Since 2017, the Manipur government has destroyed approximately 15,500 acres of illegal poppy cultivation across various districts.

Last month, in a coordinated crackdown on illicit drug production, joint operations by Manipur Police, Assam Rifles, Forest Department, and an executive magistrate destroyed seven acres of poppy plantations in T. Lhanghoimol, Churachandpur district, on December 27. Authorities have registered an FIR and are working to identify and prosecute the cultivators.

Earlier, on December 14, the Assam Rifles eradicated 354 acres of poppy fields in the Ukhrul, Churachandpur, and Chandel districts, reinforcing their commitment to combating narcotics along the Indo-Myanmar border.

Similarly, on December 23, security forces cleared 22 acres of poppy cultivation in Kangpokpi district, targeting five acres in Kotlen and 17 acres in Holjang. This operation was carried out by a joint team of Kangpokpi District Police, A/155 CRPF, and E/112 CRPF.

These operations underline the coordinated efforts of local law enforcement and central security forces to tackle poppy cultivation and curb the drug trade in Manipur.

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