Imphal, Nov 26 (NationPress) In a significant move against illegal narcotics, security forces have eradicated over 675 acres of illicit poppy cultivation in the mountainous regions of Manipur this month. This action has successfully thwarted a major attempt to produce opium valued in crores, officials reported on Wednesday.

On November 24, an aerial reconnaissance revealed an additional area of over 700 acres of poppy plantations solely in the Kangpokpi district, officials stated.

A senior police officer indicated that joint operations involving the Army, Assam Rifles, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), and Manipur Police led to the destruction of more than 675 acres of illegal poppy fields between November 11 and 23, effectively undermining an attempt to produce opium valued in crores.

The eradicated poppy fields were located across six mountainous districts of Manipur: Kangpokpi, Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Chandel, Tengnoupal, and Senapati.

This police official further elaborated that the 486 acres of destroyed poppy fields had the potential to yield approximately 4,600 kg of opium, worth several hundred crores of rupees. During these operations, security forces also dismantled around 100 huts associated with illegal poppy cultivation across the six districts. A substantial quantity of contraband materials, including sacks of salt, fertilizers, Roundup herbicides, spray pumps, and pipes used for cultivation, were destroyed.

The senior official emphasized that the crackdown on illegal poppy cultivation in Manipur would persist.

Former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh highlighted that the widespread illegal poppy farming not only devastates society and leads youth toward addiction but also inflicts severe harm on the state’s forests and environment.

In a post shared on X, Singh included a video from his aerial survey of illegal poppy cultivation, stating, “Observe this once-lush forest land now transformed into a wasteland by poppy farmers. Many doubted our government’s claims regarding the expanding drug corridor, the so-called 'Golden Triangle,' reaching India through Manipur.”

He noted that extensive forest areas have already begun to vanish due to rampant poppy cultivation, yet these warnings were often disregarded. Today, the reality is evident to all. The current administration, in collaboration with the Army, Assam Rifles, CRPF, BSF, Narcotics Control Bureau of India, and Manipur Police, is undertaking commendable efforts to eliminate poppy fields across various regions daily, Singh remarked.

The former Chief Minister stated, “Their coordinated effort deserves full recognition. However, the challenges remain significant. Particular regions, like the one shown in this video, require substantial manpower and extended campaigns for permanent eradication of poppy cultivation. An aerial survey on November 24 identified nearly 700 acres of poppy farming in the hill ranges of Makhan Village, within the jurisdiction of Sapormeina Police Station in Kangpokpi District. This area is part of the Kanglatongbi Kangpokpi Reserved Forest and lies near Mount Koubru, a site of deep cultural significance for the Indigenous people. The ongoing destruction of our forests and the threat to our cultural heritage is a pressing reality. Thus, sustained and intensified action is absolutely essential.”

A spokesperson for the Defence stated that the extensive operation against illegal poppy farming was executed under challenging conditions and adverse weather, showcasing the unwavering commitment of the Assam Rifles and allied forces to combat illicit narcotics cultivation and dismantle the financial structures supporting insurgency and other anti-national activities. This successful operation reaffirms the Assam Rifles' commitment to fostering a drug-free Northeast and contributing to long-term peace, stability, and socio-economic development in the region, according to an Assam Rifles statement.

A senior government official stated that as part of the Manipur government's “War against drugs,” various security forces, including the Assam Rifles and Manipur Police, have successfully dismantled hundreds of acres of illegal poppy farming on government and forest lands over the years.

In 2020, security forces and governmental agencies identified an astonishing 8,057 acres of poppy fields, of which 1,695 acres were destroyed. By 2024 and 2025, the area of identified poppy fields significantly decreased, demonstrating the success of the state and central governments and security forces’ comprehensive strategies, the official noted.

State politicians and officials indicated that the ongoing ethnic crisis in Manipur, coupled with the rising drug menace, is one of the primary factors contributing to the current situation.

According to the defence official, the fight against poppy cultivation has been a persistent priority for the paramilitary force, as evidenced by its sustained efforts over the years.