Anti-poppy drives continue, two arrested
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 21 2023: In sync with the state government's 'war on drugs' campaign under the keen initiative of CM N Biren, police and district administrations continue to destroy poppy plantations in different parts of the state and arrested a village chief on the charge of abetting poppy cultivation.

According to reports, a combined team consisting of Tengnoupal district police commandos led by additional SP (L/O) O Sukumar Singh and Machi police station officer in-charge inspec tor S Ibotombi, Tengnoupal SDC/ BO Ksh Roshanjit, Tengnoupal reserve line personnel and Tengnoupal forest officials destroyed 65 acres of poppy cultivation along the Molphei village hill range on Friday during a drive conducted from 11:30 to 4:45 pm.

On the other hand, Saikul police led by its officer in-charge Lunthang Vaiphei arrested Lhangsom village chief Jamthang Haokip (54), son of late Jamkhotong Haokip, in connection with a case registered against illegal poppy cultivation in his village, the report said.

A combined team of Ukhrul district police, Forest Department and village authorities of Phungcham under the leader ship of Chingai SDPO Ahongjao carried out poppy plant destruction campaign at Phungcham/Paorei hill ranges on Saturday, during which 15 acres of poppy plantations were destroyed.

A case has been registered at Chingai police station for further investigations.

On Friday, a combined team of Imphal East district police led by SDPO/Lamlai and assisted by NAB, forest department officials, 4th AR along with executive magistrate of Saikul, Kangpokpi district also conducted a poppy destruction drive along Aigejang Hill Range.

During the drive, around seven acres of poppy plantations were destroyed.

On the same day at around 11:10 pm, one Letsei Baite (57) son of Thongsei Baite was arrested from Aigejang village for illegal poppy cultivation in the village land area.

A case has been registered at Sagolmang PS in this regard.

Continuing the operation, a combined team of Kangpokpi district police, 2nd MR, 6 IRB, NAB, MPTC and forest department in the presence of SDO Lungtin destroyed poppy plants spread over around 25 acres during a drive at Puleijang hill range under Saikul PS on Saturday.

Another combined team consisting of Churachandpur district police, 1st IRB, 2nd IRB, NAB, and forest department destroyed poppy plants in an area of around 74 acres in Haopi Mollen village in Churachandpur district.

The team also reported that an area of around 30 acres was destroyed by the villagers themselves.

In this regard, a regular FIR has been registered.

At the same time, combined team of district police of Chandel, Thoubal & Kakching along with NAB and Chandel district forest officials led by SDPO Chandel destroyed poppy plants in an area of around 70 acres in Phaisi area under Chakpikrong sub-division, Chandel district on Saturday.

The team also burned 14 huts used by the poppy farmers.

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