Manipur: 79 poppy fields worth Rs 2.5 crore destroyed in three hill districts

Imphal: Indian security forces and law enforcement personnel targeted three hill districts of Manipur, destroying 79 poppy fields with the potential to produce approximately Rs 2.5 crore during a drive against illegal cultivation over the past three days.

The joint operations, involving the police, army, forest department, and other agencies, resulted in acres of poppy fields being destroyed in the presence of Executive Magistrates, officials reported on Saturday.

The team destroyed about 10 acres of poppy cultivation in the Suangkong Hill range under Behiang-PS, Churachandpur district.

Materials found at the site, including salt, urea, and sprayers used in poppy cultivation, were burnt.

In another campaign, the team destroyed around 55 acres of poppy cultivation in the hill ranges of S. Khonomphai village and Denglen village under Saikul-PS, Kangpokpi district.

Four temporary huts, bags of fertiliser, and equipment such as spray pumps, pipes, and herbicides found at the site were also burnt.

During the final operation, the team eradicated about 14 acres of poppy cultivation in the hill range between Bohoram and Itham village under Kasom Khullen-PS, Kamjong district.

Reports added that cases were registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, and efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend those involved in the illegal cultivation.

Additionally, one acre of fully grown poppy field can yield an average of 25 kg of raw opium, which fetches a price of approximately Rs 45,000 to Rs 87,500 at government-fixed rates in India.