Four hectares of poppy plantation destroyed
Source: The Sangai Express
Noney, January 09 2023:
Ramping up efforts to eradicate illegal poppy cultivation in the State, security forces destroyed as many as 4 hectares of plantation at T Khongmol Kuki village today.
T Khongmol Kuki village, Longpi Circle falls under Nungba sub-division of Noney district.
The poppy destruction drive was carried put by a joint team of Noney police led by Additional SP Sangboi Gangte, personnel of 39 Assam Rifles Nungba Outpost, under OC Shimray and Nungba Forest personnel led by Range Officer Oinam Pamheiba.
Daichui, president of Rongmei Naga Students' Organization Manipur (RNSOM) also took part in the drive.
Officer-in-Charge of Nungba police station, Nilamani Singh said the joint team of security forces and Government agencies including the Nungba Forest and student body RNSOM destroyed at least 4 hectares of poppy plantation in the drive at T Khongmol.
While the chairman of T Khongmol and the cultivator were out of station at the time of the operation, Nungba police has initiated legal actions against them, he said adding both the persons will be held responsible and dealt with according to law.
As per the villagers, chairman of T Khongmol lives in Churachandpur while the poppy cultivator resides in T Khongmol.
The Officer-in-Charge added it was surprising and unfortunate to see such a massive plantation despite several requests, appeals and warnings from the Government.
Search and survey drives to identify poppy plantations will continue.
All plantations identified will be destroyed, he said.
RNSOM president, Daichui said the student body will continue to aid Government agencies in surveys and destruction of poppy plantations.
Chief Minister N Biren had declared War on Drugs and eradicate poppy cultivation in the State.
Finding the massive poppy plantation in Nungba sub-division was unexpected, Daichu said.
Daichui added, "Rongmei never practices such poppy or any kind of drug related plantations.
Supporting the Government initiatives against drugs, we had declared all Rongmei territories poppy free in 2022.We will continue to work together with the Government to make Tamenglong and Noney districts poppy-free districts".
Stating surveys to identify poppy plantations will continue, Daichu cautioned that all those involved in poppy cultivation should surrender or quit before they are caught and legal action taken against them.
"RNSOM will never hesitate to protect and safeguard the future generations.
We will always stand alongside the Government in ending illegal drug business," he said.