Security forces intensify War on Drugs campaign
30 ha of poppy fields destroyed at Mapithel hill
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik

Ukhrul, November 20 2023: In a joint operation, Ukhrul police along with personnel of 35 Assam Rifles, Manipur Rifles, Forest officials and Tangkhul youth volunteers led by SP Ukhrul Ningshem Vashum today launched an intensive crackdown on illegal cultivation of poppy along the Mapithel hill range of Kamjong district.

During today's poppy destruction drive, about 30 hectares of poppy fields were destroyed along the Mapithel hill range under Litan police station.

According to SP, Ukhrul Ningshem Vashum, the drive was carried out as part of the State Government's "War on Drugs" campaign and will continue for three days at Mapithel hill range to eliminate this illicit practice from the district.

He also mentioned that the first poppy destruction drive was carried out from November 14 to 16 at Tora, Champhung and Phalee areas and 51 acres of poppy farms were destroyed in western villages of Ukhrul under LM Block.

The Ukhrul SP then called for strict enforcement of the law and urged poppy cultivators to stop such illegal activities and abandon the drug business.

Due to the rough terrain, reaching the area was very difficult as it is not accessible by road.

Cutters, sprayers and long knives were used in clearing the poppy plants.

Altogether 141 security personnel including volunteers of Tangkhul CSOs took part in the poppy destruction drive.

None of the poppy cultivators were found in their farms as they had reportedly fled in advance before the arrival of security forces.

Notably, the poppy cultivators used common salt and other chemical fertilizers extensively in their poppy farms to increase the yield of opium.

During the destruction drive, 'Roundup' weedicide was sprayed to destroy the poppy nurseries at the farms.

Numerous makeshift huts and other tools and equipment used by poppy growers were also set ablaze on the first day of the destruction drive.

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