20.5 Ha of poppy plantations destroyed
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 17 2023:
A day after more than 14 hectares of poppy plantations were destroyed at Kangpokpi district, security forces and forest personnel destroyed as many as 20.5 hectares of poppy in the district today.
A statement the Range Forest Officer, Kangpokpi Forest Division released to the media today said, 3.5 hectares of poppy plantations were destroyed at the T Khullen village while 17 hectares were destroyed at Lhangsom village hill range under Saikul sub-division.
The poppy destruction drives were carried out by a combined team of the Kangpokpi Forest Division, district police of Kangpokpi and Imphal East.
During the drives, huts and articles used in cultivation of poppy were also destroyed, said the statement of the Range Forest Officer.
Warning that legal actions will be taken up against persons responsible for practicing the illegal cultivation, the Forest Range Officer said, poppy plantation in protected forest areas violates the Indian Forest Act, 1927 and the Manipur Forest Rules 2021.The drives were carried out in line with the Government's War on Drugs to eradicate poppy cultivation in the hill areas as well as protect the forests, it said.
Notably, in the last few weeks, hectares of poppy plantations have been identified and destroyed at Kangpokpi, Churachandpur and other areas.
Also, many village chiefs and authorities have been arrested and booked in connection with cases of poppy cultivation.
Yesterday, police along with Kangpokpi Forest Division had destroyed around 14.35 hectares of poppy plantations at the hill ranges of Harup Naga village, T Waichong and Mongjang village, Saikul.