Satellite imaging of poppy cultivated areas complete, says IG
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 21 2020:
Acquisition of satellite images of poppy cultivated areas in different parts of the State has been completed and the agencies have started destroying the identified poppy cultivations yesterday, said K Radhashyam, IG Intelligence and NAB Manipur.
Briefing media persons in his office chamber today evening, K Radhashyam said about 20 acres of poppy plantation were destroyed at Lanva Hill range Churachandpur yesterday.
Manipur is one of the States which has been most affected by drug problems since the 1980s.The present Government has taken up several initiatives to fight illegal drugs.
From 2018 onwards, war against drugs was launched in the State, he said.
Due to its proximity to the Golden Triangle, there is increasing number of drug traffickers and consumers.
Nonetheless, the State police have successfully cracked down on drugs.
Many heroin manufacturing factories have been destroyed as part of the war on drugs.
During 2018-2019, State police and district administrations destroyed about 1850 acres of illegal poppy plantation while about 2300 acres were destroyed between 2019 and 2020, he said.
On monitoring of the poppy plantations, he said the NCB and State police have jointly collected satellite images of the poppy cultivated areas.
These information are being sent to district administration concerned for mass destruction of the plantations.
Under the aegis of DGP Manipur, State police has held a meeting with representatives and chiefs of more than 100 villages about the need to curb poppy plantation.
The Government has also brought up a drug policy to curb drug problems in the State, he added.
Destruction of the illegal poppy plantation is being carried out jointly by NCB, NAB, State police, army personnel, Assam Rifle and district administration of district concerned.
He further said that the police has registered two FIRs against persons for posting contents with communal tinge supporting illegal poppy plantation on social media.
He also appealed to people to extend support and cooperation in the war on drugs taken up by the State Government to save future generations from drugs.