Security Forces Eradicate 35 Acres of Illicit Poppy Farming in Manipur
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Synopsis
On January 24, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh announced that a collaborative operation by police, CRPF, and forest officials destroyed 35 acres of illegal poppy cultivation at Lhungjang village in Kangpokpi district, marking a significant step toward a drug-free Manipur.
Key Takeaways
- 35 acres of illegal poppy cultivation destroyed.
- Joint effort by police, CRPF, and forest officials.
- Significant stride towards a drug-free Manipur.
- 19,135.60 acres destroyed since 2017.
- Ongoing issues with illegal immigration and drug cultivation.
Imphal, Jan 24 (NationPress) Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh announced on Friday that a collaborative effort by police, CRPF, and forest officials successfully eradicated 35 acres of illicit poppy cultivation at Lhungjang village in Kangpokpi district.
The Chief Minister praised the Kangpokpi Police, 133 Bn CRPF, Forest Department, and the Executive Magistrate for their united and decisive actions in the operation against illegal poppy farming at Lhungjang village under Saikul Police Station.
“The elimination of around 35 acres of unlawful poppy cultivation represents a crucial advancement toward our collective aim of achieving a drug-free Manipur. I encourage all stakeholders and citizens to unite in this battle against drug-related offenses and unlawful activities,” he stated.
Biren Singh, who oversees the Home portfolio, previously indicated that as part of the administration’s “war against drugs,” Manipur Police, along with paramilitary and other security forces, have been consistently dismantling illegal poppy farms, particularly in the hilly regions.
Meanwhile, a government report reveals that various law enforcement bodies, including Manipur Police, have obliterated 19,135.60 acres of illegal poppy cultivation across the state’s 12 districts from 2017 to 2024.
The document, compiled by the Manipur Remote Sensing Applications Centre (MARSAC), indicates that in the mountainous Kangpokpi district, the largest area of 4,454.4 acres of illegal poppy cultivation was eradicated in the past seven years (2017-2024), followed by 3,348 acres in Ukhrul and 2,713.8 acres in Churachandpur.
MARSAC operates as an autonomous body under the Planning Department of the Manipur government.
The report highlights that deforestation due to widespread poppy farming has led to various detrimental effects on the ecosystem, including soil erosion, a decline in biodiversity, and alterations in the local climate.
The Manipur government has frequently stated that the ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur (since May 2023) is fueled by illegal immigrants from Myanmar, who began cultivating illicit poppy crops after settling unlawfully in the state.
