Manipur's War on Drugs: A Struggle Against Narcotics and a Hope for Transformation

Wareppam Diana Devi *

Poppy plantation destroyed at Chandel in Feb 2015 :: Pix - Shankar Khangembam

For the "War on Drugs" to be truly effective, the government, currently under President's Rule with the Governor at the helm, must adopt a comprehensive approach

The northeastern state of Manipur has been waging a determined battle against poppy cultivation and trafficking under the leadership of former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. Launched in 2018, the "War on Drugs" campaign is a comprehensive initiative aimed at eradicating illegal poppy cultivation, disrupting drug trade networks, and offering sustainable alternatives to poppy farmers.

Despite facing numerous challenges, including resistance from cultivators and accusations of ethnic discrimination, the campaign has made notable progress in curbing opium production and addressing the socio-economic factors driving the narcotics trade.

The Rise of the Drug Menace in Manipur

Manipur's strategic location along the porous Indo-Myanmar Border (IMB) has made it a major transit point for drug trafficking, linking it to the infamous Golden Triangle, one of the world's largest opium-producing regions.

Over the years, illegal poppy cultivation has expanded, fueling the rise of drug processing units in the state and a surge in narcotics smuggling. This has not only led to a significant increase in drug addiction among the local youth but has also contributed to deforestation, soil erosion, and loss of biodiversity due to mass poppy farming.

Reports indicate that poppy cultivation has seen a dramatic increase in certain districts, notably Kangpokpi, Churachandpur, Tengnoupal, and Ukhrul, with a few masterminds investing heavily in the trade.

A Determined Crackdown on Poppy Cultivation

To counter this growing threat, the state government launched a large-scale crackdown on illicit poppy plantations. In 2021, representatives from 33 communities in Manipur pledged to end poppy cultivation under the banner of "All Communities Convention for a Pledge against Illegal Poppy Plantation."

Under War on Drugs 2.0, law enforcement agencies ramped up efforts, deploying 100 police personnel in each district to destroy poppy fields. Satellite images from the Manipur Remote Sensing Applications Centre (MARSAC) revealed a 60% decline in poppy cultivation between 2021 and 2024.

The total cultivated area shrank from 28,599 acres in 2021-22 to 11,288 acres in 2023-24. The most significant reductions were seen in:

o Tamenglong - 85% decrease (from 668 acres to just 96 acres)
o Churachandpur - 39% decrease (from 6,688 acres to 4,063 acres)
o Kangpokpi remained the highest opium-producing district, though its cultivated area fell 20%, from 9,518 acres to 4,321 acres.
o Ukhrul had 1,598 acres under poppy cultivation.

A 2022-23 survey identified 203 poppy cultivation clusters across 9 out of 16 districts. By 2023-24, another survey found 141 clusters, showing a gradual decline. Despite the progress, Kangpokpi still had the largest cultivation area, highlighting the ongoing challenge in completely eradicating the trade.

The Battle on the Ground: Resistance and Clashes

The anti-drug campaign has not been without resistance. In a very unfortunate incident, on January 21, 2023, a VDF personnel named Ningombam Premananda went missing while attending duty to destroy illegal poppy plantations around Phaisi village under Chakpikarong Police Station in Chandel district later he was found dead on 3rd February, 2023 at Levanant Village

In February 2025, a joint security team comprising Kangpokpi district police and CRPF encountered violent opposition from villagers of Lhungjang hill range, who vandalized police vehicles and disrupted the operation.

Taking advantage of the limited personnel, the mob vandalized three police vehicles and threatened to stop the personnel from the destruction drive. Despite such clashes, law enforcement continued their mission, destroying 45 acres of poppy fields and burning down huts used by cultivators.

The Makhan Village Authority also issued a strong statement condemning the encroachment of Liangmai Naga lands by poppy cultivators, accusing Kuki groups and individuals of taking part in large-scale illegal farming. They claimed that the government had failed to act decisively despite multiple complaints, allowing the situation to escalate.

On the other hand, the Kuki-Zo community has accused former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and the Meitei community of ethnic cleansing in the name of the War on Drugs, deepening ethnic tensions in the state.

The Road Ahead: Manipur's Role in India's Act East Policy

Funds from the illegal drug trade have reportedly been used to procure sophisticated weapons, escalating the violence in Manipur that erupted on May 3, 2023. The porous Indo-Myanmar border allows for the smuggling of both narcotics and firearms, making it easier for insurgent groups to sustain prolonged conflicts. Reports suggest that drug cartels and insurgents are bringing in Chinese-made weapons through Myanmar.

Profits from poppy cultivation fuel cross-border arms smuggling, intensifying clashes between communities and law enforcement.

Poppy plantation destroyed at Chandel in Feb 2015 :: Pix - Shankar Khangembam

Alternative Crops and Economic Rehabilitation

Recognizing that a coercive approach alone cannot solve the problem, the government has also focused on providing alternative livelihood options to poppy farmers. In a landmark move, "Cultivation of Horticulture Crops as an Alternative to Poppy Cultivation in Hill Areas" was introduced, promoting crops like ginger, pineapple, turmeric, lemongrass, and cardamom as sustainable substitutes.

The state also launched "Manifresh," a brand aimed at uniting local farmers and entrepreneurs under a common banner, ensuring better market access for their produce. To support this initiative, the government established cold storage facilities and a buyback scheme for farmers, guaranteeing them a stable income.

Over 400 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) were also formed, employing around 50,000 tribal women in fruit processing industries, with TRIFED (Tribal Co-operative Marketing Development of India) supporting their market expansion across India.

The Drug Trade and Political Nexus

Despite these efforts, the drug trade in Manipur remains deeply entrenched, with organized crime networks linking drug mafias, local politicians, and security forces. Seizures of narcotics worth Rs 70,000 crore and the arrest of over 3,000 individuals between 2018 and 2024 highlight the scale of the problem.

In 2022 alone, authorities confiscated 44.5 kg of 'World is Yours' (WY) tablets, a popular party drug, in Tengnoupal district, emphasizing the international dimension of Manipur's drug crisis. Reports also suggest that drug processing units are proliferating in certain areas, with accusations that Meiteis act as transporters and Muslims as processors, raising concerns about communal tensions influencing the anti-drug narrative.

Beyond Eradication: Addressing the Root Causes

While Manipur's War on Drugs has made progress in reducing poppy cultivation, experts warn that without addressing deeper socio-economic factors, the problem will persist. Many poppy farmers come from the most marginalized communities, struggling with poverty, unemployment, and a lack of basic amenities. For them, poppy farming is not a choice but a survival strategy - offering quick, high returns with minimal investment.

Global experiences in Afghanistan, Thailand, and Laos have proven that simply destroying poppy fields without effectively providing alternative livelihoods leads to a "balloon effect," where cultivation shifts to more remote and inaccessible areas. Manipur is witnessing a similar cycle, where enforcement alone fails to break the network sustaining the drug trade.

An equally alarming issue is the rise of drug addiction among Manipur's youth. Unemployment, poverty, and weak social support systems have pushed many into substance abuse. The neighboring state of Mizoram has India's highest HIV prevalence rate (2.73%), largely due to intravenous drug use, raising concerns about a potential spillover effect into Manipur.

Despite frequent reports of poppy field destruction, the real question remains: How many key figures in the drug trade have been apprehended? And how effective has the distribution of alternative crops been?

A Multi-Pronged Approach for a Drug-Free Manipur

For the War on Drugs to be truly effective, the government must adopt a comprehensive approach that includes:

1. Sustainable Livelihood Programs - Expanding fair and transparent alternative crop cultivation and ensuring a fair compensation system for affected farmers.

2. Strengthening Law Enforcement - Breaking the politician-mafia nexus and ensuring strict action against those involved in drug trafficking.

3. Border Security Enhancements - Strengthening Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) with advanced technology, upgrading Land Custom Stations (LCS), enhancing border fencing, and improving checkpoints are essential for effective surveillance and enforcing stricter Free Movement Regime (FMR) regulations. A border without enforcement is not a border.

4. Community Involvement - Engaging local civil society groups, student unions, and women's organizations like Meira Paibi to create grassroots resistance against drug abuse. Meira Paibis have long stood at the forefront as a powerful women's collective, actively engaging in social activism, particularly against drug abuse and trafficking.

5. Youth and Rehabilitation Programs - Establishing more de-addiction centers, skill development programs, and educational initiatives to prevent young people from falling into drug addiction.

Manipur's War on Drugs is not just a battle against poppy fields; it is a fight for the future of its people. While enforcement efforts have made visible progress, the real victory lies in addressing the deeper socio-economic factors that drive the drug trade. Sustainable alternatives, strong community involvement, and a multi-pronged approach are essential to breaking this cycle.

More than just destruction, there must be creation - of opportunities, rehabilitation programs, and a future where Manipur's youth break free from the grip of addiction and the illegal trade. Only through a united effort - by the government, civil society, and the people - can Manipur reclaim its land, its dignity, and its hope for a drug-free tomorrow.