MA urges PM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 09 2026: In view of the "industrial scale narcotics production" in the State, the Meitei Alliance has urged the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister and Manipur Chief Minister to declare illicit poppy cultivation as a matter of National security and environmental emergency.

In an open memorandum addressed to the three leaders, Meitei Alliance has submitted a list of recommendations including- cons- titution of a unified Central task force integrating security, intelligence, forest, and revenue authorities for time-bound eradication of poppy cultivation; review and withdrawal of Suspension of Operations protections where involvement in narcotics is established; streng- thening of Indo-Myanmar border management under Constitutional and statutory authority and periodic public disclosure of enforce- ment outcomes to ensure accountability and rule of law.

Referring to data released by the Manipur Police Department, Meitei Alliance said a total of 2,618 acres of illegal poppy plantations were destroyed in a period of just over three months from November 2, 2025 to February 8, 2026 across the districts of Kangpokpi, Ukhrul, Churachandpur, Senapati, Chandel, Kamjong, Tengnoupal and Tamenglong.

The destruction of 2,618 acres translates to roughly 65,450 kg of raw opium, or 6545 kg of heroin, which would be valued at approximately USD 32.7 million, or Rs 297.8 crore in the international market as per UNODC's most conservative export value.

Despite the War on Drugs campaign, the latest updates from the police indicate that illicit poppy cultivation has re-emerged on a significant scale, even after repeated eradication drives and extensive security deployments.

This recurring pattern underscores the critical reality that poppy cultivation in Manipur is not a sporadic or isolated criminal activity, but a resilient, organised narco-economy with the capacity to regenerate unless its enabling networks are dismantled in their entirety, said Meitei Alliance.

It also highlighted the environmental and security impacts of the narcotics economy- systematic deforestation of reserved forests; disruption of hydrological systems, soil erosion; irreversible biodiversity loss in a recognised ecological hotspot; and financing of violence, illegal immigration, and parallel governance structures.

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