Manipur: 72 acres of poppy fields worth Rs 1.75 crore in opium destroyed
Imphal: A joint team of the central and state forces conducted an unprecedented crackdown against illegal poppy cultivation in Manipur's hill districts of Chandel, Tamenglong, and Kangpokpi, which share borders with Assam and Nagaland to the north and Myanmar to the south, on Saturday.
According to the reports issued on Sunday by the Manipur Police morning bulletin, approximately 72 acres of illegal poppy cultivation was destroyed in the ongoing war against drugs on Saturday.
There was no one present at the cultivation site, and no one came forward to claim ownership.
Around 50 acres of illicit poppy cultivation at Gobok hill range, located about 20 KM East of Chakpikarong Police Station under Khengjoi Sub-Division of the Chandel district, which shares borders with Myanmar to the south, was destroyed.
The reports stated that the destroyed items could produce approximately 250 kg of opium worth Rs. 1.75 crore. Some poppy pods and poppy seeds were recovered from the spots. Four temporary huts were also burned down.
At Thengjang and Lasan areas under Tamei police station in Tamenglong district bordering Assam and Nagaland, seven acres of poppy plantation, 4 huts, 4 urea bags, and 107 packets of salt found at the plantation site were also destroyed.
In the last phase of operation of the day, 15 acres of poppy cultivation at the interior locations of Loibol Khullen village under New Keithelmanbi police station in Kangpokpi district were also cut down.
A hut, a sack of salt, and other cultivation equipment found at the plantation sites were also destroyed.
Around 250 personnel of a combined team of the Manipur Police, Manipur Rifles, Assam Rifles, Border Security Forces, Forest Department, Narcotic and Border Affairs, and Narcotics Control Bureau carried out the destruction in the presence of the relevant executive magistrates.
The reports added that different FIRs have been registered, and efforts are being made to identify and book the cultivators.