330 acres of poppy cultivated area destroyed in Manipur

Our Correspondent

Imphal, Dec. 30 (EMN): A combined team of security forces with the support of district administrations have destroyed around 330 acres of poppy cultivated areas in Manipur’s five districts in the past one week.

In Kangpokpi district, a combined team of security forces conducted massive poppy destruction in an area of about 30 acres on the western hill range of Selsi village under Kangpokpi Police Station on December 23. In the continuous drive on December 29, another 25 acres of poppy plantation area was destroyed.

Seven huts used for storing materials used in poppy cultivation including fertilisers, salt packets, herbicides etc., were burnt along with the materials.

Kangpokpi district police team along with other officials also destroyed about 10 acres of illicit poppy cultivation in Molkon and Phulaijang hill range under Saikul Police Station. Police arrested two persons identified as Paokhomang Kipgen alias David (41) and Henkholun Kipgen alias Helun (62) both from Selsi village for plantation of poppy at western hill range of Selsi.

In Ukhrul district, a combined team of security forces destroyed 80 acres of poppy cultivated areas at Ringui (Tungou) Hill Range (20 acres) and Champhung Hill Range (20 acres) and Champhung – Tora Hill Range (40 acres) in the current month.

Efforts to identify the farmers/ land owners and to arrest individuals involved in poppy plantation is underway.

In Churachandpur district, a combined team of security forces and officials destroyed about 65 acres of poppy cultivated areas in the forest area of Thinghangjang village on December 23. In this connection, chief of village identified as Kamkhosei Haokip (48) of Songpi (AP) was arrested and produced before the CJM court for further investigation.

The deputy commissioner of Churachandpur district, Sharat Chandra Arroju-led combined team of security and officials carried out destruction of illegal poppy cultivation and destroyed about 15 ( fifteen) acres of poppy cultivated area at D Lhangjol village areas in Churachandpur district on December 29.

Ten matured stems of poppy with pods and about 40 kg of fertilisers were also seized from the spot. In the afternoon, Letkholal Khongsai, chief of D Langjhol village was arrested from Tuibuong area.

In Imphal East district, a team led by SPs of Imphal East and NAB along with other officials conducted a poppy destruction drive in NP Khullen, B Gamnom hill range and destroyed about 30 acres of poppy cultivated area on December 26.

On December 29, a combined team of Imphal East District police assisted by others destroyed poppy plants grown in an area of land measuring about 40 acres at Monglham hill range.

Paojamang Haokip (56), chief of Monglham village, was arrested from Checkon Tribal Market.

On the same day, a combined team of security forces destroyed about 35 acres of poppy plants at Hengshi area in Chandel district.

“All the accused persons involved in plantations of poppy will be charge under Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances Act, Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and as well as Forest Act for destruction of Forest,” says a press note.

It appealed to all village chiefs and villagers to inform the government authorities of any illegal poppy plantation in their villages and voluntarily destroyed such illegal poppy plantation before the harvesting of opium.