Manipur destroys 3,000 acres of poppy fields, arrests 467 drug traffickers in a year
Synopsis
Manipur's year-long 'War on Drugs' has yielded its most detailed public accounting yet — 3,000 acres of poppy razed, 307 NDPS cases filed, and 467 traffickers arrested. Announced on the Manipur Police's 135th Raising Day, the figures come as the state continues to grapple with ethnic unrest since May 2023, making the drug crackdown both a law-enforcement and a stability imperative.
Key Takeaways
Manipur has destroyed approximately 3,000 acres of illegal poppy cultivation over the past year.
307 cases were registered under the NDPS Act and 467 drug traffickers arrested in the same period.
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh made the announcement at the 135th Raising Day of the Manipur Police on 19 October 2026 .
477 vehicles — including 60 bulletproof and 15 mine-protected vehicles — are being procured under the ASUMP Scheme .
Homecoming ceremonies have been held for cadres of proscribed groups KCP-PWG and KCP-Taibanganba as part of peace efforts following May 2023 ethnic unrest.
Sporting achievers Saikhom Mirabai Chanu and N.
Roshibina Devi were honoured for medals at the 2026 Asian Games .
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Monday, 19 October 2026, announced that the state has destroyed approximately 3,000 acres of illegal poppy cultivation, registered 307 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and arrested 467 drug traffickers over the past year. The figures were disclosed during the 135th Raising Day of the Manipur Police at the First Battalion Manipur Rifles Parade Ground in Imphal.
War on Drugs: What the Campaign Covers
Chief Minister Khemchand Singh said the state government had formally launched a 'War on Drugs' campaign to combat trafficking networks and eradicate illegal poppy fields across the state. He acknowledged that the campaign has faced public scrutiny — including criticism on social media and in newspapers — but asserted the government's unwavering commitment to its objectives.
He added that police and other concerned agencies are actively monitoring the situation, with intensified efforts to identify, trace, and dismantle drug networks operating across Manipur. The Chief Minister emphasised the harmful impact of drug trafficking on the lives and futures of the state's youth.
Security Context: Ethnic Unrest and Arms Surrenders
Khemchand Singh addressed the shadow of the unprecedented ethnic hostilities that erupted on 3 May 2023, noting that the conflict had led some youths to take up arms. He stated that sustained efforts by the state government, in close coordination with security forces, have contributed to restoring a degree of stability and encouraged voluntary surrenders of arms.
Notably, homecoming ceremonies have been organised for cadres of two proscribed groups — KCP-PWG and KCP-Taibanganba — as part of peace and reconciliation efforts. The Chief Minister appealed to all sections of society and political parties to foster constructive engagement, warning that undue criticism would undermine the state's progress and peace restoration.
Police Modernisation and New Vehicles
The Chief Minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to modernising the state police force. Under the Assistance to States and Union Territories for Modernisation of Police (ASUMP) Scheme, 477 vehicles are being procured — including 60 light bulletproof vehicles and 15 mine-protected vehicles — to enhance operational efficiency and field preparedness.
Director General of Police Mukesh Singh noted that the Manipur Police has proudly observed October 19 as its collective Raising Day since 2008. He acknowledged the force's role during the May 2023 ethnic violence, when it stood on the frontline alongside Central Armed Police Forces, the Army, and the Assam Rifles to protect lives and public property.
Sporting Honours and Awards Presented
The Raising Day celebration also recognised police personnel who have brought distinction to the state in sports. Additional Superintendent of Police Saikhom Mirabai Chanu was honoured for winning a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games and a silver medal in weightlifting at the 2026 Asian Games. Deputy Superintendent of Police N. Roshibina Devi was recognised for her silver medal in Wushu at the 2026 Asian Games.
A total of 13 contingents participated in the March Past. The Manipur Police Best Battalion Award 2026 was conferred on the 2nd Battalion, Manipur Rifles; the Best Police Station Award 2026 went to Bishnupur Police Station, Bishnupur District; and the Best Police Officer Award 2026 was presented to Women Sub-Inspector Horthingwon Lungleng of Women Police Station, Ukhrul District.
The event was attended by Manipur Assembly Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh, Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh, MLAs, the Chief Secretary, and senior police officials. With drug networks still active and ethnic tensions not fully resolved, the coming months will test whether the operational gains translate into lasting stability.
Point of View
But they need an independent audit to carry full weight. Manipur sits at the heart of the 'Golden Triangle' spillover zone, and annual destruction tallies have historically fluctuated without a consistent downward trend in trafficking volumes. The juxtaposition of the drug campaign with the post-May 2023 ethnic crisis is telling: illicit poppy cultivation and conflict economies are intertwined in the region, and no anti-drug effort succeeds in a vacuum of unresolved political grievances. The voluntary surrender of arms from KCP factions is a cautious positive, but the state's long-term stability depends on whether economic alternatives to poppy farming are genuinely available — something the Chief Minister's speech did not address.
NationPress
19 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much illegal poppy cultivation has Manipur destroyed in the past year?
Manipur has destroyed approximately 3,000 acres of illegal poppy cultivation over the past year, according to Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh. The state also registered 307 NDPS Act cases and arrested 467 drug traffickers in the same period.
What is Manipur's 'War on Drugs' campaign?
The 'War on Drugs' is a state government initiative to combat drug trafficking and eradicate illegal poppy cultivation across Manipur. It involves the police and other agencies identifying, tracing, and dismantling drug networks operating in the state.
How does the drug crackdown relate to the ethnic unrest in Manipur?
Chief Minister Khemchand Singh acknowledged that the unprecedented ethnic hostilities that began on 3 May 2023 have led some youths to take up arms, creating a complex security environment in which drug networks operate. The state government is conducting both anti-drug operations and peace reconciliation efforts simultaneously.
What police modernisation steps is Manipur taking?
Under the ASUMP Scheme, 477 vehicles are being procured for the Manipur Police, including 60 light bulletproof vehicles and 15 mine-protected vehicles, to strengthen operational preparedness and field efficiency.
Which police personnel were honoured on Manipur's 135th Raising Day?
The Best Battalion Award 2026 went to the 2nd Battalion, Manipur Rifles; the Best Police Station Award to Bishnupur Police Station; and the Best Police Officer Award to Women Sub-Inspector Horthingwon Lungleng of Women Police Station, Ukhrul District. Sporting achievers Saikhom Mirabai Chanu and N. Roshibina Devi were also recognised for their Asian Games medals.
