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Manipur Forces Destroy 83 Acres of Illegal Poppy, Arrest Drug Smugglers

Security forces and forest officials in Manipur conducted joint operations, destroying a total of 83 acres of illegal poppy plantation in Senapati and Ukhrul districts. In separate actions, they arrested an alleged PREPAK cadre and a suspect with 1.543 kg of brown sugar. The crackdown follows earlier operations in January where 40 acres of poppy were destroyed and a large cache of arms was recovered in Kangpokpi district. Additionally, two drug smugglers were arrested with 4.3 kg of heroin in Churachandpur.

Key Points: Manipur Destroys 83 Acres of Poppy, Arrests Made in Narcotics Ops

  • 83 acres of poppy destroyed in Senapati & Ukhrul
  • PREPAK cadre arrested in Imphal
  • 1.5 kg brown sugar seized in Thoubal
  • Major arms cache recovered in Kangpokpi
2 min read

Manipur: 83 acres of illegal poppy plantation destroyed in two separate joint operations; one arrested

Joint security forces in Manipur destroy 83 acres of illegal poppy plantation, arrest suspects, and seize heroin and arms in major anti-narcotics crackdown.

"The destroyed fields had the potential of opium worth multiple crores - Assam Rifles"

Imphal, February 7

A combined team of security forces and the forest department, along with the Executive Magistrate, destroyed 3 acres of illegal poppy plantation at Lakhamai hills under Phaibung-PS, Senapati district on Friday.

Three huts found at the plantation sites were burnt and destroyed.

Meanwhile, the security forces arrested an active PREPAK cadre, Sapam Barlin Singh alias Nongthang (22), of Thangmeiband Khomdrang Selungba Leikai, Imphal West district, from Porompat Ayangpalli Road near the JNIMS main gate under Porompat-PS, Imphal East district.

A combined team of security forces and the forest department also destroyed 80 acres of illegal poppy plantation at the Sihai hill range under Ukhrul-PS, Ukhrul district.

Ten huts found at the plantation sites were burnt and destroyed.

Additionally, the security forces intercepted a four-wheeler, an A-Star at Lilong Alia Lamkhai under Lilong-PS, Thoubal district and arrested its occupant, one Md. Abbas Ahamed (42), along with brown sugar.

From his possession, the security forces recovered 1.543 kgs of brown sugar and intercepted a four-wheeler.

Earlier last month, acting on intelligence on illicit narcotics cultivation, Assam Rifles launched a joint operation with CRPF and Manipur Police in the general area Ngatan Hill Range in Kangpokpi district, Manipur, on January 9.

According to the Assam Rifles, during the conduct of the operation, the team detected and destroyed 40 acres of poppy cultivation and 11 makeshift huts used for processing and storing narcotics.

The destroyed fields had the potential of opium worth multiple crores, the release stated.

Earlier, security forces in Manipur recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition during an operation on January 8 in the Songjang (Pakang) area under Kangpokpi Police Station in Kangpokpi district.

The seized items included three local made pumpi guns, one Excalibur rifle with a magazine, one .303 rifle with magazine, two local made .22 pistols with magazines, five 5.56 mm live rounds ammunition, five empty cartridges of 12 bore action rifle, one local made pumpi empty shell, six local made pumpi live shells, and 11 local made 12 bolt action rifles.

Additionally, in another anti-narcotics operation, a combined team of security forces and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials arrested two drug smugglers on January 7 from the area between Maukot village and Singngat in Churachandpur district.

The arrested persons were identified as Hangkhankap and Khupjamal. Authorities seized 4.3 kilograms of heroin powder contained in 320 soap cases, along with one four-wheeler and one two-wheeler.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While the action is good, we must also think about the root cause. Why are people turning to poppy cultivation? Poverty and lack of alternative livelihoods are big factors. The government needs sustainable development plans for these areas, not just destruction. 🌱
V
Vikram M
The scale is shocking! 83 acres in just two ops, and last month 40 acres... that's crores of rupees worth of potential opium off the streets. Kudos to Assam Rifles, CRPF, and Manipur Police. The link to arms recovery shows this is funding insurgency. Must be crushed.
S
Sarah B
As someone who has visited Manipur, it's heartbreaking to see such a beautiful state affected by this. The joint operations between different agencies seem effective. Hope they continue and also focus on rehab for those arrested, especially the young ones.
R
Rohit P
Good job! But one has to ask, how do such large plantations exist in the first place? There must be local informers and maybe even some corrupt officials turning a blind eye. The net should be cast wider to catch the kingpins, not just the foot soldiers.
K
Kavya N
This news gives some hope. The drug problem is destroying families across India, not just in the Northeast. Intercepting 1.5 kg of brown sugar on the road is a big catch. We need stricter laws and faster courts to punish these smugglers. Jai Hind!

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