NAB destroys Poppy cultivation at Nongmaiching
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 18 2010: Officials of Narcotics and Affairs of Border (NAB) of the State Police today cut down all the Poppy plants being grown widely in some areas of Nongmaiching hill here today.

According to an official source, the NAB team led by its S Amirlal Sharma was duly assisted by personnel of 7 Manipur Rifles and 4 IRB in destroying the Poppy plants today morning.

IG (Intelligence) LM Khoute was also visited to inspect the work.

However, villagers of Terakhong and Heikon have been planting these Poppy plants as their means of livelihood for more than two years now were reportedly not informed about the drive.

Extract from Poppy plants is said to be used in manufacturing not only cocaine but also heroin.

Illegal Poppy cultivation at Nongmaiching before being destroyed by NAB officials on Monday, January 18

Talking to media-persons, Pao Baite (42), chief in-charge of Terakhong village, which is located adjacent to Gouranagar village in Imphal East District, disclosed that Poppy cultivation was being taken on the side of the hill covering an area of around 6 to 7 Sangam.

Villagers of the neighbouring Heikon are also involved in cultivation of these narcotic plants.

He further informed that cultivation of the last season had been harvested.

The yield was around I kg of cocaine per Sangam and I kg of cocaine fetches around Rs 30,000 .

In response to a question on who buys these narcotic substances from the Poppy cultivators, Baite simply stated that the buyers are all from Imphal.

''There are tribal as well as Meiteis among the buyers.

But we know nothing about their names or where they stay'', Baite maintained, adding that ' our job is just to exchange the goods with money'.

Secretary of Heikon village L Apao (40) said that the cultivators now understand that it is illegal to plant Poppy plants.

But destruction of the plants which is due to be harvest in February/March without giving any prior information is regrettable.

''The villagers of the two neighbouring villages are innocent and poor farmers who find it difficult to meet their requirement from cultivation of paddy alone.

So they take up cultivation of Poppy plants to supplement their income'', he explained.

Terakhong is a small village comprising just 30 households and a population of around 200 people.

Similarly, Heikon village has around 25 households and a population of just around 120 people.

The site where the Poppy plants were being cultivated is commonly known as Heikon Khuman.

It is here that the villagers of present Heikon village settled earlier.

The media team came across that Poppy plants were being cultivated upto Khallong, highest point of Nongmaijing.

Meanwhile, All Manipur Anti Drug Association (AMADA) has reportedly brought about an understanding with the villagers involved in the cultivation of Poppy plants.

According to general secretary of AMADA head office Ph Phoni, the understanding was brought about after a joint meeting with the villagers at Terakhong.

Local club representatives of Sanjenbam, Kambongput, Wakha, Takhel as well as other villagers settling along the foothills of Nongmaiching were also present in the meeting.

The joint meeting has decided to cultivate vegetables and other cereals by the villagers at the places where they used to cultivate Poppy plants earlier, Phoni conveyed, adding that efforts are also being made to take the help of the Agriculture Department in this regard.

AMADA has been trying to bring about general awareness on the harmful effect of drugs in Manipuri society even by producing a Shumang Leela based on the theme of Opium war that took place in China long ago.

So, at this critical juncture, AMADA tolerate cultivation of Poppy plants, Phoni said.

Conveying that AMADA has received information about cultivation of Poppy plants other places as well, Phoni assured that AMADA would try its best to destroy these Poppy cultivations.