14 accused of planting poppy, chiefs flee villages
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, February 07 2023:
Around 14 poppy planters from five different villages in Tengnoupal district including the respective chiefs have reportedly fled from their respective villages after receiving summons from Machi Police Station.
As part of the state government's 'War on Drugs', combined teams of the district police, NAB and Tengnoupal Forest Division had been carrying out anti-poppy drives in different villages of Tengnoupal district.
The chief and secretary of the villages which were found cultivating poppies along with the accused poppy planters were previously summoned to Machi PS.
However, as the chiefs, secretaries and the accused poppy planters failed to show up to the police station even after the date specified in the summons lapsed, the police visited the said villages and found that the accused villagers had locked their homes and fled to unknown locations.
In connection with the discovery of poppy cultivations under the jurisdiction of Machi PS, its OC in-charge S Ibotombi had issued a summon to Hengjang village chief Hegin Haokip, T Mol-phei chief Thangkhui Haokip and secretary Asei Haokip, SL Zougam chief Mangvung Hemkhojang Haokip, T Boljang chief Otkhohai Haokip; poppy planters Sem-japao Haokip, Lunpu Khongsai, Letkhosei Haokip, Jemsi Khongsai, Ngamcha, Thingjakai Baite, Lunlam Haokip and Damang Haokip; and Tollen village chief T Letminthang Haokip and poppy planter Lalcha Haokip.
Tollen village chief T Letminthang Haokip was earlier arrested by Machi po lice and is now in judicial custody.
All the 14 people except for the jailed chief reportedly locked their homes and tied from their respective villages and their whereabouts remain unknown.
At present, the village wears a deserted look.
The chiefs of the said villages had previously signed an undertaking with the district administration not to plant pop pies in the area, a police source conveyed.
Mention may be made here that combined teams of the district police, NAB and Tengnoupal Forest Division have been destroying poppy plantations, which were found grown in areas under the jurisdiction of Machi PS, from January 19.On Monday, a team had destroyed around 28 acres of poppy plantation found growing in the hill ranges of Henjang village.
As per the team, the poppies, once harvested, would produce around 280 kg of opium, which is estimated to worth around Rs 1.96 crore.