Village chiefs pulled up for poppy plantations
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, October 21 2022: Following an extensive survey, which began from October 10, a police team led by SDPO (Thanlon) Golam Hatzou and OC of Henglep PS Inspector Haokhomang Haokip found illegal poppy plantations under the jurisdiction of three villages located on the western side of Thangjing Hill ranges under Henglep sub-division in Churachandpur district.

Illegal poppy plantations were round in V Langhnom, Old Nabil and Mongken villages.

The plantation sites are located in interior parts and non motorable road stretch es.

It was found that most of the poppy plants are still in germination or nursery stages.

Consequently, the village chiefs and some villagers were summoned to the of fice of additional SP (Ops) Th Deshoriit at the advice of SP Churachandpur Shivananda Surve.

Initially, the village chiefs disowned the ownership of the poppy fields.

However, the additional SP (Ops) held them responsible for allowing the illegal activities under their watch and asked them to destroy the poppy plants within 15 days, tailing which they will be arrested and tried as per law.

The village chiefs confessed that they are not involved in the illegal farming and they even warned the cultivators of dire consequences.

However.

they assured of destroy -ing the poppy plants within the specified deadline.

Upon their release, the villagers took a collective decision to destroy the poppy plants, said a police source, while adding that another round of survey will be carried out in the coming days to confirm the same.

Police source further said that they have information of illegal poppv cultivation in Mongjang.

Knakhual Lancha villages under Sanjjaikot and Singnat sub-division.

these areas fall under Haopi range and share borders with Churachandpur and Chandel districts.

A survey would soon be conducted for destroying the poppy plants and initial ing legal actions, police said, while urging all concerned to destroy the poppy fields in order to avoid legal actions.

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