Poppy plantation destroyed in Tumuyon Khullen, Nepali Aisan and Denglen villages
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal/Senapati, March 29 2022: In support of Chief Minister N Biren Singh led Government's 'War on Drugs', the Tumuyon Khullen Village Authority has reportedly taken up large scale destruction of poppy plantations in their jurisdiction.

In a letter addressed to the Chief Minister, Manipur, in support of 'War on Drugs', A Maraiba, chairman and RK Lovingson, secretary, Tumuyon Khullen Village Authority stated that they had organised a sensitization mission against the illegal plantation of poppy and that the village authority had also destroyed poppy plantations on a large scale within their jurisdiction in collaboration with the village Youth Club (TKYC) .

RK Lovingson stated that the village authority along with the village Youth Club in the past had destroyed about 10 hectares of poppy plantations in their jurisdiction which was worth around Rs 45-50 crores in the national market.

He further assured the State Govt that they will continue to cooperate with the State in the war against drugs in order to save the future of the younger generations.

Poppy plantation destroyed in Tumuyon Khullen, Nepali Aisan and Denglen villages

The Tumuyon Khullen Village Authority is reported to have been continuously undertaking actions to be instrumental in the 'War on Drugs' mission by checking to root out the illegal plantation of poppy, acting locally by organizing big numbers of youth participation in the said mission and organising seminars and press conferences on the topic.

The letter was handed over by the village chairman to the CM through the DC, Kangpokpi.

Placards displaying slogans such as 'Let's make our state free from Drugs', 'Drug users kill their own selves', 'Be proud of yourself and say NO to Drugs', 'Don't let drugs keep you from your dreams' among others were held during the submission of the letter.

Kengoo Zuringla, DC, Kangpokpi expressed her happiness upon witnessing the villagers' efforts.

The DC also lauded the village youth for taking this initiative.

Meanwhile, a joint team of Narcotics and Affairs of Border, Narcotics Control Bureau, Forest Department, 22 Assam Rifles Saikul Post and Kangpokpi District Police carried out destruction of 25 acres of illegal poppy plantation at Nepali Aisan village and Denglen village today and arrested three persons in this connection.

It is worth mentioning that Nepali Aisan village and Denglen village comes under Lhungtin sub-division of Kangpokpi district and is located around 15 kilometers north of Saikul Police Station.

The joint operation was conducted under the supervision of IPS Amrita Sinha, SP Kangpokpi.

According to sources, the approximate value of the destroyed poppy plantation is estimated to be around Rs 25 crores.

The sources further stated that during the destruction of illegal poppy plantation at Denglen village, three persons identified as Sonminthang Touthang 27 s/o Jamthang Touthang of Denglen village, Thanghaolal Touthang 21 s/o Paongam Touthang of Molkon village and a juvenile were arrested and five poppy pods/ fruits were also seized from the poppy field of Denglen village.

The arrested persons along with the seized poppy pods/fruits have been handed over to the concerned Saikul Police Station for further necessary action.