Manipur: Joint forces destroy 220 acres poppy fields, 30 huts in Ukhrul

Imphal: Law enforcement personnel and government agencies destroyed around 220 acres of illegal poppy cultivation and 30 farm huts in Manipur’s Ukhrul district over the past 48 hours, officials said on Thursday. The operations were carried out at two locations where crops were at peak bloom and ripening stages.

The joint teams removed mature poppy plants using bush cutters, sprayed herbicides, and burned the fields to prevent latex extraction used in the production of heroin and other opiates. The Manipur government, in coordination with central forces, targeted plantations that were close to harvest in an effort to curb narcotics-related activities in the hill district.

On February 4, 2026, security forces destroyed about 180 acres of illegal poppy fields at the Leingangching hill range (Mapithel hill range) under Litan Police Station, Ukhrul district, and burned 20 farm huts. Earlier, on February 3, 2026, another 38 acres of poppy cultivation were cleared at the Thawai Kuki hill range under the same police station, where 10 huts were also destroyed.

Police said the destruction was carried out during the ripening stage, which effectively eliminates an entire season’s illegal yield. Cases have been registered in connection with the operations, though no arrests were made during the drives.