Manipur police destroyed large areas of poppy plantations across the state in December. They also arrested the chief of Thinghangjang village in Churachandpur district in illegal trade case.
Police PRO said a team of Kangpokpi district police led by its district SP and SP, NAB along with a team of 200 recruits from Manipur Police Training Centre (MPTC) and 1 Coy of Manipur Rifles and IRB conducted massive poppy destruction drive on the western hill range of Selsi village, Kangpokpi district.
During the drive, seven huts used for keeping materials used in poppy cultivation including fertilizers, salt packets, herbicides along with materials were burnt down.
A case has been registered at the concerned police station and district police have also identified some accused persons involved in the plantation. Police reported that the accused persons will be arrested soon.
The whole operation was conducted under the spot supervision of DGP, P Doungel; ADGP, law and order, L Kailun and IGP Zone I, Themthing Ngashangva.
Meanwhile, a team of Churachandpur district police, along with 1st IRB, conducted a mass poppy destruction drive in the forest area of Thinghangjang village, Churachandpur district.
During the drive, around 65 acres of poppy plantation was destroyed and burnt down on the spot.
The police also arrested an accused identified as one Kamsei Jaokip, 48, son of Otthang and chief of Thinghangjang village. A case has been registered in connection with the incident.
District police, Ukhrul along with 6th Manipur Rifles, NAB and Forest department have also destroyed around 80 acres of poppy cultivation in three different areas of the district in December.
The team destroyed around 20 acres of poppy cultivation at Ringui (Tungou) hill range on December 3 and 7; another around 20 acres of poppy cultivation at Champhung hill range on December 14 and 15; and over 40 acres of poppy cultivation at Champhung Tora hill range on December 20 to 22.
During the destruction drive, no poppy cultivators were found. However, a few individuals who were earlier residing at the hill range of Champhung-Tora have been identified, details of the land owner of the hill range were collected and verification of the same is going on, police said.
Kangpokpi district police along with NAB, forest department, Assam Rifles also destroyed about 10 acres of illicit poppy cultivation in Molkon and Phulaijang hill range under the jurisdiction of Saikul police station on Friday.
Police reported that the poppy cultivation was found to be in the initial stage and more such destruction drives will be scheduled in the next few days.
FIR has been registered and efforts are on to arrest the cultivators and land owners, police added.
