State forces destroy poppy plantations
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 29 2022:
Even as chief minister N Biren chaired a meeting with top officials of central and state forces to discuss issues and strategies for combating the drug menace on Thursday, teams of Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Chandel district police destroyed poppy plantations in different parts of the said districts.
In continuation of the drive against illicit drugs and poppy cultivation, poppy plantations on about 15 acres of land were destroyed at D Lhangjol Village, Churachandpur district on Thursday.
A suo motu case has been registered in connection with the poppy cultivation and consequently Letkholal Khongsai, the chief of D Lhangjol village, was arrested from Tuibuong area at 4.50 pm.
The Churachandpur district administration with the active supervision and physical presence of deputy commissioner/district magistrate Sharath Arroju along with state's security forces destroyed the poppy plantation in the area near D Lhangjol Village along the Sugnu Churachandpur road.
The team that destroyed the poppy plants grown in more than 15 acres of land in the forest area also found many materials used for the plantation of poppy during the drive.
After the drive, the deputy commissioner warned that legal actions will be initiated against defaulting village chiefs and the poppy cultivators, adding that the district administration strives to bring about a drug free atmosphere in the district and will continue the drive against drugs in the days to come.
ADC Thienlaljoy Gangte, deputy commandant (1st IRB) Lalringum Pulamte, additional SP Deshorjit and other subordinate staff joined the drive.
Meanwhile, our Churachandpur correspondent added that the drive against poppy plantation at D Lhangjol village commenced from around 9 am and lasted till 1.30 pm.
The destroyed poppy cultivated land was estimated at about 15 acres with a value of Rs 90 lakh.
Also, 10 matured stems of poppy with pods and about 40 kg of fertilizers were recovered from the spot.
A combined team of Kangpokpi District Police, NAB and Forest Department also destroyed around 25 acres of poppy plantation found growing illegally along Selsi Hill Range in Kangpokpi district on Thursday.
The team failed to apprehend the people responsible for planting the poppies, but was able to collect the details of the land owner and went on to carry out verification.
Kangpokpi PS has registered a case in this regard.
Meanwhile, a combined team of Chandel district police, 8 MR and NAB destroyed around 35 acres of poppy plantation found being illegally grown in Hengshi area of Chandel district, a release issued by Manipur Police PRO informed.
Earlier, on Monday, a joint team of Imphal East police and NAB along with forest department and BSF conducted a poppy destruction drive in NP Khullen and B Gamnom hill range.
The combined team de stroyed poppy plants, which were grown in an area measuring about 30 acres, and efforts are underway to arrest the illegal poppy growers.
A case has been registered at Thoubal Dam Police station for further investigation.