• Manipur drug menace: All-out war against poppy plantations by Ukhrul authorities

    North East
    Manipur drug menace: All-out war against poppy plantations by Ukhrul authorities
    Around 20 hectares of illegal poppy fields were allegedly destroyed by state officials in their first campaign...

    Digital Desk: The Central and state governments on Wednesday declared open warfare against the poppy plantations before its bumper harvest.

    Around 20 hectares of illegal poppy fields were allegedly destroyed by state officials in their first campaign in the Tora Champhung hill range of Manipur's Ukhrul district, which borders Myanmar on the east, official sources said on Thursday.

    According to information from Manipur Chief Secretary De Vineet Joshi, the campaign against illegal poppy cultivation has begun under the direction of the Union Defence Ministry and is expected to be finished by November.

    Before harvest seasons, the poppy flowers were destroyed using various techniques.

    A combined squad of Ukhrul Police, Forest Department, and 6th Manipur Rifles demolished the blossoming poppy with sticks and knives on Wednesday.

    All infrastructure, including pipes and houses, was destroyed in the fire.

    About 25 huts that were built on the hillsides were destroyed by fire on Wednesday during its first operation.
    On the poppy sprouts, the team also sprayed "Roundup Herbicides."

    In compliance with the government's directive, the Assam Rifles, the police, and other relevant departments conducted thorough surveys before destroying the poppy cultivation.

    Notably, since 2017, the state government has demolished approximately 15,500 acres of poppies in various areas.