Manipur: 190 acres of poppy plantation destroyed in Kangpokpi

Imphal: Security forces, in collaboration with forest officials, chipped down poppy plants cultivated over a total area of 190 acres and burnt down 50 farm huts across multiple locations in Manipur's Kangpokpi district.

The poppy plants, at their early stages of flowering and valued at around Rs 94.5 lakh in regional markets, were destroyed in the fire between November 2 and November 19, 2025, officials reported on Thursday.

Approximately 53 acres across six locations in the Phailengkot/Makhan hill ranges under the Koubru Reserve Forest area, falling under the Gamnom Sapermeina police station, were chipped down on Wednesday. Seven farm huts and 35 packets of salt found at the sites were destroyed.

About 26 acres of poppy plants, 17 huts, seven bags of fertilisers, and three bags of salt were also destroyed in the Holjang hill ranges of the same district on November 17.

At Loibol Khullen village, 20 acres of illegal plantation and two sacks of salt packets found at the site were seized. Spray pumps, pipes, herbicides, and other cultivation equipment were destroyed and burnt.

Approximately 20 acres of poppy plantation, three bags of fertilisers, two containers of Roundup herbicide, and two bags of salt were destroyed in the hill ranges of Kotlen village on November 15.

Destruction drives were also carried out at the villages of Thonglang Akutpa, Songjang, Awlmun, and Waphong on November 2, 2025.

Strikingly, no arrests have been made so far in connection with the illegal cultivation.