Joint force carrying out poppy Ops unabated
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 20 2023: The joint force of forest department, Manipur police, NAB, IRB and Manipur Rifles is carrying out destruction of illegal poppy farms in different parts of the state relentlessly.

' In a press statement, principal chief conservator of forest and head of forest force, Dr AK Joshi informed that the forest department conducted yet another special operation against illegal poppy cultivation in forest areas on Thursday and Friday.

On Thursday, about 40 hectares of illegal poppy cultivations in Teiting Thanging hill in Churachandpur Khoupum Protected Forest area were destroyed by a joint team of 163 personnel from Churachandpur forest division, police, NAB, 1st IRB, 2nd IRB, media and women police personnel.

An FIR has also been registered accordingly.

Similarly, Kangpokpi forest division, police, NAB and 1st MR destroyed 18.21 hectares of illegal poppy cultivation at Lhangsom village unclassed forest under Kangpokpi forest division.

Further, under Chandel forest division, about 32 hectares of poppy plantation were destroyed in Phaisi village area by a joint team of forest officials, Chandel district police, Thoubal district police, Kakching district police and NAB.

An FIR has been registered accordingly, it informed.

On Friday, poppy plants found growing in an area of around 15 hectares were destroyed along the hill ranges of T Khonomphai under Kangchup Leimakhong Irang Protected Forest, Champhai sub-division of Kangpokpi district.

At the same time, the hill ranges of Leijang village area were surveyed and no poppy cultivation was found.

However, there were signs of poppy cultivation practiced in the past.

During these operations, poppy plants found growing in a total area of 105.21 hectares were destroyed.

Huts and materials used in cultivation of poppy such as fertilisers, salt packets and herbicides were also burnt and destroyed.

Since January 16, the forest department in association with law enforcing agencies of the state had destroyed poppy plants in over 275.21 hectares, the statement said.

It further informed that the forest department will continue these intensive operations by involving all law enforcing departments.

Cases will be registered as per relevant Acts and Rules against persons responsible, and stern legal and punitive action will follow up.

Altogether, eight FIRs have been filed against village chiefs/ cultivators/unknown persons since January 16.Illicit poppy cultivation in forest areas violates provisions of the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985.The use of forest land for non forest purpose violates the provision of Forest (Conservation) Act 1980, the Indian Forest Act 1927 and The Manipur Forest Rules 2021.Poppy plantations have been found inside notified forest areas in clear violation of the Acts/Rules governing the forests.

Poppy cultivation on vast tract of forests has become one of the major causes for deforestation and degradation of forest in the state.

The department appeals to all local communities/village chiefs to refrain from indulging in poppy cultivation and join hands in the War on Drugs campaign to eradicate poppy cultivation in the forest areas as well as protect the forests, the statement added.

Meanwhile, other sources said that another village chief was arrested by Tengnoupal police in connection with illegal poppy cultivation on Thursday.

The arrested per son has been identified as T Letminthang Haokip (25) son of late Mangkholal Haokip, chief of Tollen village.

He was arrested in connection with illegal poppy plantations found growing in an area of around 84 acres along Tollen Hill range during an operation carried out by a joint team of Tengnoupal & Thoubal district police, IRB, CDO, forest officials, SDC/BO, DC office Tengnoupal led by ASP (Ops) Tengnoupal, Y Premjit and ASP (LO) O Sukumar.

On the other hand, a joint team of Noney district police, NAB, 39 AR and Rongmei Naga Students' Union destroyed poppy plants spread over around 1 acre in Longpi village under Nungba police station.

In Kangpokpi district, a joint team of Kangpokpi district police, 1st MR, NAB, forest officials, Liangmai Naga Council Eastern Zone and Makui villagers carried out similar operations on the western side of Koubru hill range where the team led by ADP (Ops) Kangpokpi, Abul Kalam, Kangpokpi PS OC inspector Kh Sunilkumar and 1st MR assistant commandant Jugin destroyed around 75 acres of poppy plantations the last two days - 35 acres on Thursday and 40 acres on Friday.

The joint team, which has been stationing in Makui village, had to trek for over three hours from Makui village to reach the poppy farms.

They also burnt 15 huts used by the poppy farmers and seized several materials used in the illegal farming.

Kangpokpi PS OC Sunilkumar said that they have destroyed poppy plants in around 100 acres and have found another farm of around 100 acres in T Khomnomphai area.

Additional manpower has arrived following a request and they will destroy the newly found farm in the coming days.

Comment