Rs.4.26 cr worth poppy destroyed
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, January 14, 2011: With the detection of cultivation of poppy plants widespread in some areas in Churachandpur district, Narcotic Control Bureau (NCB), Regional Unit, Imphal joining hands with the Narcotic Affairs of Border (NAB), Churachandpur District Police, 46 Assam Rifles and AMADA went on a drive to combat it.

Cultivation of poppy, which is used in the manufacture of Heroin (No.4), is banned in Manipur under Narcotic Drug and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985.Cultivators can also be booked under section 47 and 48 of the same Act.

The combined team destroyed poppy plants in Thangjing, New Saikot, Solpijang areas of Ccpur in a drive conducted on January 12 and 13.According to an official of the NCB, the team destroyed poppy plants in 61 acres which could produce opium worth Rs.4.26 crore at the international market.

He said that in the local market a kg of opium extracted from the poppy plants is sold at Rs.30,000.Cultivators can produce around 22 kgs of opium from one acre.

Cultivators prefer to cultivate poppy in their fields instead of seasonal crops like paddy, cabbage, maize and other vegetables because they earned more income.

Officials alleged that some UG groups are investing to make the villagers cultivate the plants for financial gains.

Knowing this, NCB and NAB joining with police and security forces had been conducting drives since 2009, he said.

The team led by intelligence officer Binod Kumar of NCB, Imphal regional office comprised of SI P Anilkumar of NAB, AMADA secretary, Ph Phony and commandant of 46 Assam Rifles among others.

The two day drive was divided into two teams under strict security measures provided by Churachandpur Police and troops of 46 Assam Rifles.

Elimination of the poppy plants began from the fields at Thinghangjang villages, then at Saikot and followed by fields at Solpijang area.

The plants destroyed were all ready to be harvested.

At Hengkot village located 22 kms on the south of Churachandpur town, poppy plants were found cultivated in 50 acres.

After destroying the plants, the combined team proceeded to Saikot and Solpijang located 63 kms from Churachandpur district HQ on the Tipaimukh road.

Poppy plants were found cultivated in two acres in the interior of the Thangjing range of Churachandpur district.

The plants were destroyed by troops of Loktak Brigade of 16 Maratha Light Infantry in a period of two days.

The plants were destroyed as part of the MLI's anti narcotics drive based on the information that the plant was being cultivated in a mass scale, a statement of the PIB (Defence Wing) Imphal said.

The objective was to discourage the villagers from getting involved in illegal activities as well as preventing innocent youths from falling prey to the drug culture, the statement added.

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