Drone survey conducted
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 11 2023: A joint team of police, district administration, forest department and NAB under the joint leadership of SDC (Kangpokpi) Lunkhaopao Touthang, Kangpokpi PS OC Kh Sunilkumar and T Waichong forest division RO Somorendro carried out a drone survey to locate illegal poppy farms on the western side of Koubru hills range on Saturday.

Chiefs of 12 villages situated along Imphal-Tamei road were also invited during the survey, which covered all the 12 villages.

Out of them, nine villages have destroyed poppy plants in their respective jurisdiction while some poppy plantations were found intact in the areas of three remaining villages.

The chiefs of the three villages told the team that they could not complete the operation due to vastness of the area.

They, however, assured of completing the operation within the next two or three days.

They asked for additional time and the survey team accepted their terms.

Speaking to the media, OC Kh Sunilkumar informed that the survey was carried out to check the progress of the operation as well as find out more areas under illegal poppy farm.

Necessary follow up actions would be taken up based on the survey report, he said.

On the other hand, chiefs and villagers of Beilejang and T Khomnomphai, who were involved in illegal poppy farming, have fled their houses to evade arrest.

Police found their houses under lock and key during an operation launched to arrest them on Saturday.

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