Over 100 acres of illegal poppy cultivation destroyed in Manipur

Imphal: Indian law enforcement has intensified its crackdown on illegal poppy cultivation through widespread destruction drives, setting farm huts on fire in the tribal-dominated Kangpokpi and Ukhrul districts of Manipur over the past 72 hours.

As part of their renewed war on drugs, security forces, including the state police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Assam Rifles, in coordination with forest and district administration officials, destroyed approximately 100 acres of illegal poppy plantations.

A total of 22 farm huts, 10 fertilizer bags, and nine sacks of salt used in the cultivation were seized and burned during the operation.

Officials reported that around 35 acres of poppy plants at the Mullam hill range under Litan Police Station in Ukhrul district, along with three farm huts, were destroyed on Thursday.

This operation followed a similar drive on November 11, in which approximately 9 acres of poppy fields in the Mullam and Shongphel village hill ranges were cleared.

In the second phase of the operation on November 12, security forces uprooted around 56 acres of poppy plantations in areas between the Thonglang Akutpa–Songjang hill ranges and Awlmun village under Kangchup Police Station in Kangpokpi district.

During this phase, another 19 farm huts, 10 fertilizer bags, and nine sacks of salt found at the sites were destroyed.

Officials added that FIRs have been registered, and efforts are underway to identify and prosecute the financiers behind the illicit cultivation and trade.