Govt condemns disruption to anti-drugs drive
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, February 01 2025: The Manipur Government has condemned the mob attack on a security team that went to destroy illegal opium poppy cultivation in Kang-pokpi district.

As part of the ongoing War on Drugs campaign, the combined forces of Kang-pokpi District Police, Cen- tral Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and an Executive Magistrate, under the overall supervision of the Superintendent of Police, Kang- pokpi Manoj Prabhakar, conducted poppy destruction drive in the hill range of Lhungjang village, under Saikul police station yesterday.

Lhungjang village is the native village of Ch Ajang Khongsai, president of Kuki Inpi, Manipur.

The operation targeted a large tract of land used for poppy cultivation, which has been identified as a key source for the production of illicit opium.

Despite the clear intentions of the authorities to enforce law and tackle the drug menace in the region, the drive was met with violent opposition.

A large mob armed with sticks gathered at the site, forcibly halting the operation.

Taking advantage of the limited number of police personnel, the mob vandalized three police vehicles and threatened the personnel to stop the destruction drive.

The situation quickly escalated, and a reinforcement team led by SP Kangpokpi rushed to the spot to control the mob and restore order and ensure the continuation of the destruction drive.

Regardless of the aggression and threat posed by the mob, the combined team remained determined to carry out the task and approximately 45 acres of illegal poppy cultivation were successfully destroyed.

An FIR (First Information Report) has been filed at Saikul police station for further investigation into the incident.

The Government took the incident very seriously and condemned the mob violence in the strongest terms.

Strict legal action will be taken up against all those involved, including Ajang Khongsai, who is linked to both the village and the incident.

The Government is committed to continue the crackdown on illicit poppy cultivation across the State and will not tolerate any attempts to obstruct efforts of the War on Drugs campaign.

Comment