Govt mulls using drones for destroying poppy plants
Involvement in poppy cultivation may face denial of scheme benefits: CM
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, December 29 2022: In its fight to root out narcotics drug trade and cultivation of poppy plants, the state government is exploring use of drones to spray herbicides for destroying the poppy plants as most of the poppy plantations are in remote and inaccessible areas to avoid police intervention.

The proposal was discussed during a joint meeting of Assam Rifles, NIA, NCB, NAB, state police, and home department held at the cabinet hall of the CM's secretariat, here, on Thursday.

Chief minister N Biren chaired the.

meeting, which discussed issues and strategies of War on Drugs 2.0 and expanding the operation with international cooperation.

Besides, the meeting discussed the possibility of prohibiting benefits of various government schemes to those involved in such illegal practices.

Speaking to The People's Chronicle over the phone, CM Biren disclosed that illegal poppy cultivation took place in around 7623 hectares in hill areas in 2017-18 when his government first took up War on Drugs 1.0 mission.

As a result of relentless initiatives in creating awareness and destroying poppy plants, the areas covered by illegal poppy cultivation shrunk to around 1100 hectares.

Out of this, poppy plants in around 450 hectares have been destroyed recently, he said.

A joint team of Assam Rifles, BSF, forest officials, NAB and state police under the supervision of SP Imphal East is camping in Saikul area to carry out poppy destruction drive.

Similarly, a three-day drive is being carried out in Sajik Tampak area with support from around 30 Assam Rifles personnel.

There are several villages in the remote hill areas where poppy plantations are being carried out in area spanning around 1000 hectares.

This could not be ignored as it shows clear intention of carrying out the illegal practice and appropriate actions will be taken up against those involved.

So far, four village chiefs - two from Kangpokpi and two from Churachandpur districts - have been arrested.

Some village chiefs are on the run and they will be caught soon, Biren affirmed.

Considering the situation, the meeting discussed possibilities of halting benefits of government schemes to those involved in such illegal activities.

At the same time, law enforcement agency personnel are exhausted in carrying out poppy destruction drives.

As such, the government will start using drones to spray herbicides to decimate the poppy plants.

For this, the government had already initiated process for procuring drones and they will arrive within a week.

Once they arrive, they will be put to use within a couple of days, he added.

Thursday's meeting also discussed coordination among Assam Rifles, NIA, NCB and NAB in identifying cadres of UG organisations under SoO, who threaten village chiefs and villagers to carry out the illegal practice.

In the most recent development, the arrested village chiefs have confided that many of the village chiefs are involved in the illegal practices and appropriate legal actions will be initiated against them, he said.

The CM also informed that he visited forensic science lab where new machines which can easily identify drugs within a minute have arrived recently.

These machines are portable machines and they can be used on the spot to identify drugs.

Considering the importance of the machines in the War on Drugs mission, the government will soon procure three more machines, he said.

Earlier, the CM posted on his social media accounts, "We are joining forces to strengthen the War on Drugs campaign and to leave no stone unturned to root out this menace from the state.

I urge the people of the state to cooperate and further extend support to the campaign with utmost seriousness and commitment.

We must protect our youth from drugs and leave a better future for the coming generations".

In another development, chief of Monglham village, Kangpokpi district, Paojamang Haokip (56) son of late Khaikholet has been arrested from Checkon tribal market area on Thursday.

Earlier, on December 24, police arrested Selsi Village Authority secretary David Kipgen (40) son of late Jangkhohao Kipgen, Selsi VA vice-chairman Henkholun Kipgen (62) son of late Khohem Kipgen and Thinghangjang village chief Kamkhosei Haokip (48) for their involvement in the illegal practice in their respective areas.

So far, six village chiefs, including Letkholal Khongsai, the chief of D Lhangjol village, and leaders have been arrested in the latest crackdown on illegal poppy plantations.

Meanwhile, chief of Thinghangjang village, Kamkhosei Haokip (48) son of late Otjathang Haokip, who was arrested from Songpi village for facilitating poppy cultivation within his village land on December 23, has been released on bail on medical ground by the NDPS Court, Churachandpur on Thursday.

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