Manipur police on Monday arrested a 19-year-old for posting a Facebook comment that allegedly supported poppy plantation.
The arrested person has been identified as one Sam Lolson Gangte, 19, son of late Sonpi Gangte of Khousabung Moirang Mathak in Bishnupur district.
Using his Facebook handle, ‘Ily Boo’, Sam Lolson posted the comment on the photo reported to be of a woman posing among poppy flowers. The photo went viral on social media and Sam posted, “..meitei people jealous Becoz kuki people earning money on poppy.. hey kuki people let’s unite and fight for poppy.. these flowers..”
Chief Minister N Biren Singh uploaded a screenshot of his comment alongside a photo of the arrested person on his Facebook wall with the caption, “We have already warned the people not to support poppy planters, drug smugglers, forest destroyers and also corruption. We have started taking stringent action against those involved.”
Police reported that Sam was detained on Saturday and handed over to Imphal Police station at around 12.30 pm on Monday. A case has been registered at Imphal Police Station for further necessary legal action.
Meanwhile, the present government has been taking various initiatives under the ‘War on Drugs’ campaign. Recently, the DGP also personally took part during a poppy destruction drive, while two village chiefs were also arrested in connection with the poppy cultivation.
