Manipur Police destroys 1,315 acres of illegal poppy plants

He also informed that illegal poppy cultivation of around 30 acres was destroyed in the Machi hill range under Tengnoupal district bordering Myanmar.

A joint team of Tengnoupal district police, Narcotic Affairs of Border (Narcotic Affairs of Border), Tengnoupal Sub Divisional Officer (SDO), Personnel of Horticulture and Forest departments conducted the destruction drive of poppy plants.

Giving the details, SDO Watham Basu stated that the areas where the poppy plants were destroyed include 910 acres in Senapati district, 120 acres in Kangpokpi district, 50 acres in Churachandpur district, 15 acres in Imphal East district and 30 acres in Tengnoupal district. During the 2019-20 crop year also, the State police had destroyed 2,300 acres of poppy cultivation.

However despite the fact that the State police has been conducting drives against illegal poppy cultivation every year for the last decade, farmers in the hill districts of the State have continued with the illegal practice of cultivating poppy, informed sources.

Good income is one of the major reasons for the cultivation of poppy plants. These farmers are also allegedly supporting the drug mafia and cross-border network of illegal drug traffickers. The State had become a major source of narcotic drugs.

Assam Rifles and other Central security forces have also assisted the police in the drive. Meanwhile, a team of NAB police station arrested one drug trafficker along with 370 gram of Heroin powder in his possession from Tuijang village along Tiddim Road in Churachandpur district recently.

The alleged drug trafficker was identified as Thanglet Doungel, son of late Thanglun Doungel of Loibol Khunou of Kangpokpi district, presently residing at Kholunphai village of Churachandpur district. (Agencies)

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