Poppy plantation on 15 acres of hill side destroyed in CCpur
Manipur sounds AR, NIA, NCB on War on Drugs 2.0
Source: The Sangai Express
CCpur, December 29 2022:
Even as security forces destroyed large tracts of poppy cultivation at Churachandpur district, Chief Minister N Biren in his Facebook page announced that he chaired a meeting with Assam Riffles, NIA, NCB, NAB, Police and Home Department to discuss issues and strategies of War on Drugs 2.0 at the Cabinet Hall today.
"We are joining forces to strengthen the War on Drugs campaign and leaving no stone unturned to root out this menace from the State.
I urge the people of the State to cooperate and further extend support to the campaign with utmost seriousness and commitment.
We must protect our youth from drugs and leave a better future for the coming generations" exhorted the Chief Minister in his update.
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The Chief Minister also chaired another meeting and deliberated on replacing illegal poppy cultivation with high-quality value crops in Jhum areas on an integrated approach and bringing a permanent replacement of illegal poppy cultivation.
Developing a permanent farming system through the construction of terraces which will enhance the income of farmers and improve the economy of hills villagers was also discussed, added the Chief Minister.
The meeting also discussed a project proposal of Horticulture and SC Department for alternative to Jhum & taking up terrace cultivation in hill areas in the presence of Horticulture and Soil Conservation, Minister Letpao Haokip, Minister of Forest and Agriculture, Th Biswajit Singh and other officials today, said the Chief Minister.
On the other hand, security forces destroyed more than 15 acres of poppy plantation at a hill range near D Lhangjol in Churachandpur district and arrested the village chief today.
The chief of D Lhangjol village, arrested, has been identified as Letkholal Khongsai.
He was arrested from Tuibuong village area at around 4.50 pm today.
A case under relevant sections of the ND&PS Act has been registered at Churachandpur police station.
Significantly, security forces have destroyed many poppy plantations in the past, yet this is the first time a village chief has been arrested in connection with such cases.
Notably, the arrest of the village chief came after the district administration along with security forces launched a drive at the D Lhangjol village area to destroy illegal poppy plantations.
The operation was launched acting on specific inputs about the poppy cultivation being carried out in the village area with the alleged knowledge and permission of the village chief, said sources.
The drive was carried out under the active supervision and physical presence of Deputy Commissioner/District Magistrate Sharath Arroju.
Churachandpur police including women personnel and 1 IRB personnel carried out the drive at D Lhangjol hill range along Sugnu-Churachandpur road.
The team destroyed poppy plants grown on more than 15 acres of land in the forest area and seized many materials including ten matured stems of poppy with pods and about 40 kilograms of fertilizers used in the cultivation as evidence.
After the drive, the Deputy Commissioner Sharath Arroju warned that legal actions will be initiated against the village chief and the poppy cultivators.
The DC said that the district administration strives to bring about a drug free atmosphere in the district and will continue such drives against drugs in the days to come.
ADC Thienlaljoy Gangte, Dy Commandant 1st IRB Lalringum Pulamte and Addl SP Deshorjit led the drive.
(With inputs from Our Correspondent and District Information Officer Churachandpur) .