Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, January 19 2010:
Over six lakh poppy plants with an estimated market value of Rs 18 lakhs cultivated in an area of about six sangam have been destroyed by the personnel of the Narcotic Border Affairs (NAB) with the support of the state security force.
Chiefs of villages of the area engaged in the cultivation work of the poppy plants have also been summoned to the office of the NAB, Imphal tomorrow (January 20), official source said today.
The drive was conducted by the personnel of the NAB, Imphal under the supervision of its SP, S Amirlal Sharma yesterday.
IGP (intelligence), LM Khoute also inspected the spot where poppy plants were grown.
An estimated six lakh poppy plants growing at jhum fields by the villagers of six to seven villages in Nongmiching Hill were destroyed during the day long drive, the source said today.
NAB officials estimated poppy plants worth around Rs 18 lakh destroyed in the drive.
Chiefs of six villagers have been summoned to appear to the office of the NAB in Imphal tomorrow (January 20) apparently for legal action against them as planting poppy plant is illegal.
Personnel of Narcotic and Border Affairs and state security forces had conducted the drive of elimination of poppy plants at Nongmaiching hill in Senapati district bordering Imphal East District yesterday.
Personnel of 4th IRB led by an assistant commandant and 7th Manipur Rifles escorted the personnel of NAB in destroying the poppy plants grow there.
Mention may be made that the All Manipur Anti-Drug Association, Imphal has assured help to the villagers in the cultivation of food crops after the destruction of poppy plants.
"We have promised the villagers that we will extend all kinds of help to the villagers in availing food crops from the state agriculture departments," general secretary, AMADA Imphal , Ph Phony said.