Two poppy farmers, one investor arrested
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, February 10 2023:
In continuation of the 'War on Drugs' mission, Tengnoupal district police arrested two poppy farmers and one investor on Thursday.
Police source said that a joint team of Machi police station, Tengnoupal district police reserve line, women constables and forest officials led by Machi officer in-charge S Ibotombi and SDC Ksh Roshanjit went to destroy illegal poppy plants in T Boljang village area on Thursday morning.
After destroying poppy plants in around 15 acres, the team came across four people harvesting poppy.
Some unarmed police personnel in the advance team rushed to the spot and on seeing them, two men fled into the thick forest.
The police team managed to apprehend two women identified as Damkhoning Haokip (45) wife of late Thangkhojam Haokip and Nemleining Haokip (44) daughter of Otldiolun Haokip both of Tollen village.
Upon questioning, they disclosed that one Ningthoujam Jadu mani (65) son of late N Amujao of Salungpham Mamang Leikai in Thoubal district invested in their illegal poppy farm.
Consequently, Jadumani was arrested from his house by a joint team of Machi and Heirok police stations on Friday around 10.30 am.
The source further informed that the one of the two men, who fled the scene, threatened the advancing police team by brandishing a sword.
The person is one of the individuals summoned by police in connection with poppy farming in the past.
As additional police force arrived at the scene, they fled into the thick forest.
Police also recovered empty 'Khaini' can from the spot left by police in some days back as they could not complete the poppy destruction operation.
Mention may be made here that Machi PS had summoned 15 individuals of the nearby villages in the past in connection with poppy plantation.
Consequently, chiefs and secretaries of the villages went into hiding.
So far, police have arrested one of the 15 while the remaining 14 are still at large.