Poppies scythed in Kamjong, five held in Kangpokpi
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, February 17 2023: Under the joint supervision of Kamjong district deputy commissioner (DC) and superintendent of police (SP), a combined team led by SDO, Phungyar comprising SDPO Phungyar, NAB, for est department, Phungyar police and Kasom police destroyed illegal poppy plantation spread over around 14/15 acres near Marou village in Phungyar sub-division of Kamjong district.

While speaking to the chief and the village authority about the drive, the chief informed that poppy plantation in Marou village has been prohibited by the village authority since two years back while contending that the new crops might be of seeds inadvertently dropped during the earlier plantation or destruction drives carried out in the past.

Further, the village authority urged the government to impart training to the farmers for alternative crops with awareness camp on pest and disease management.

Meanwhile, Kangpokpi district police on Thursday arrested five people, who were caught cultivating poppies along the hill range of Thingsat village in Kangpokpi district.

The arrested poppy cultivators have been identified as Chungthang Khongsai (23) s/o Seingam Khongsai of P Moulding village, Seigin Haokip (41) s/o (L) Jamkhol-un Haokip of Ankhombung village, Paothang Doungel (65) s/o Thanglhun Doungel of Lhungjang village, Lengpao Kilong (39) s/o Paohao Kilong of N Chaljang village and Seikhohao Haokip(30) s/o Paokhai Haokip of T Lamkajing village.

According to a police report, on receipt of reliable input around 11.30 am Thursday, a team of Kangpokpi district police carried out search operation at Thing-sat village hill range.

During the operation, the five people were arrested.

They were also previously involved in planting and harvesting poppies.

All five have been handed over to Saikul PS for further course of legal action, the report conveyed.

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