AR destroys poppy plantation
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, December 30 2011:
A combine team of 38 Assam Rifles and 46 Assam Rifles of 27 Sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of 'Red Shield Division' in association with the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) launched a massive operation on the higher reaches, South of Aina in the Thanlon Sub-Division of Churachandpur district and destroyed poppy cultivation.
The operation will continue upto the first week of January in which the team will destroy the fields in a phased manner so as to ensure no remnants are resuscitated, stated a press release of PID (DW) .
The operation was launched keeping in view the illegal drug trafficking and the long term effects on the rising number of the youth affected by drug addiction.
It had also become a lucrative money spinner for drug smugglers and the trend had to be curbed, more so since the part of the money from the produce is siphoned off to various insurgents groups.
The farmers will also be compensated by allocating alternative for crops and incentives.
It is pertinent to mention that Manipur has became one of the major feeders of drug industry recently.
The extensive Anti Narcotics operation carried out by 27 Sector Assam Rifles has given a big blow to the Narco industry by destroying poppy fields to the tune of approx 750 acres and still continuing, it added.