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Imphal: As part of the ongoing anti-narcotics crackdown, security forces this month destroyed more than 675 acres of illegal poppy plantations in the hill districts of Manipur, effectively foiling a large-scale opium smuggling effort worth several crores of rupees, officials said on Wednesday.
He said, however, that an aerial survey on November 24 revealed more than 700 acres of additional opium plantations in Kangpokpi district alone.
The Army, Assam Rifles, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF) and Manipur Police in separate joint operations have destroyed over 675 acres of illegal poppy cultivation in the hill districts of Manipur between November 11 and 23, effectively foiling an attempt to manufacture opium worth several crores of rupees, a senior police officer said.
Illegal poppy cultivation was destroyed in six hill districts of Manipur – Kangpokpi, Ukhrul, Tanglong, Chandel, Tengnoupal and Senapati.
A senior police officer said the illegal poppy cultivation destroyed in 486 acres was likely to produce about 4,600 kg of opium, worth several hundred crores of rupees. During the operation, security forces destroyed around 100 huts found to be sites of illegal poppy cultivation in six districts. A large number of sacks of salt packets, a large quantity of fertiliser, several Roundup herbicides, some spray pumps and pipes used in poppy cultivation were destroyed and burnt.
The official said that such campaigns against illegal poppy cultivation will continue in Manipur.
Former Chief Minister of Manipur N. Biren Singh said that large-scale illegal poppy cultivation not only destroys the society and pushes the youth into drug addiction, but also causes extensive damage to the forests and environment of the state.
In a post on X, Singh tagged a video of his aerial survey of illegal poppy cultivation, and said, “Look at this terrible forest land, once lush and vibrant, now turned into a desert by poppy cultivators. Many did not believe our government when we warned that the deadly drug corridor, the so-called ‘Golden Triangle’, was moving towards India through Manipur.”
He said that vast tracts of forest had already begun to disappear due to large-scale poppy cultivation, yet these warnings were often ignored. Today the truth is in front of everyone. Singh said, the present government, along with the Army, Assam Rifles, CRPF, BSF, Narcotics Control Bureau of India and Manipur Police and all other concerned authorities, is doing a commendable job by destroying poppy cultivation in many areas every day.
The former chief minister said, “Their coordinated effort deserves full appreciation. But the challenge is still huge. In some areas, such as the one shown in this video, huge manpower and a month-long campaign is required to permanently eliminate poppy cultivation. An aerial survey conducted on November 24 revealed poppy cultivation in about 700 acres in the hill range of Makhan village under the jurisdiction of Sapormina police station in Kangpokpi district. It The entire area belongs to the Kangpokpi reserve. It is also revered by the indigenous people as a sacred place. That is why sustained, rapid action is necessary.
A defense spokesperson said the intensive operation against illegal poppy cultivation was conducted in challenging terrain and adverse weather conditions, and the action highlights the unwavering efforts of the Assam Rifles and other forces to prevent illegal narcotics cultivation and dismantle the financial networks that fuel militancy and other anti-national activities. An Assam Rifles statement said that this successful operation reaffirms the strong commitment of Assam Rifles towards promoting a drug-free North-East and contributing to long-term peace, stability and socio-economic development in the region.
As part of the Manipur government’s “war on drugs”, various security forces, including Assam Rifles and Manipur Police, have destroyed hundreds of acres of illegal poppy cultivation in government and forest lands over the past few years, a senior state government official said.
In 2020, security forces and government agencies identified a staggering 8,057 acres of poppy fields, of which 1,695 acres were destroyed. The official said that by 2024 and 2025, the area of identified poppy fields had declined significantly, indicating the success of the multi-pronged strategy of the state and central governments and security forces.
State politicians and officials said that the ongoing ethnic crisis in Manipur along with the growing drug problem is a major cause of the current situation.
According to the defense official, the fight against poppy cultivation has been a consistent priority for the paramilitary force, as reflected in its sustained efforts over the years.
–IANS