As many as 590 acres of poppy cultivation was destroyed in 19 different instances by the Kangpokpi Forest Division and other agencies and 14 FIRs related to poppy plantations lodged in 2022-23.
In connection with the investigation into the matters of poppy cultivation inside the Reserve Forest areas of Kangpokpi district in August 2022, the DFO Kangpokpi issued summons to 23 total villages.
The villages are Phaijang, A Songpijang, Phailengkot, Thomjang, Phoibung, Thotne, Makuli, Chandraman, Amaledara, Mahabir, L Thomjang, Mangjol, Kolpechang, Lhangkichoi, KaitheImanbi, Chingloubung, Gopibung, KPI Ward no 14, Saikotjang, Tujang and Kholjang.
Besides the 14 FIRs, complaints have been registered against 24 poppy cultivators inside the Reserve Forest areas in the last two days.
Operations to clear poppy of remaining areas is still going on and more FIRs will be filed based on further investigation, DFO Kangpokpi N Ganesh said while highlighting the development of the forest division in curbing poppy plantation to reporters in Imphal on Saturday.
"The DFO has coordinated with police to affect the arrest of the offenders immediately under NDPS acts," he said.
Drone survey is also being conducted to identify areas under cultivation of any form on RF land, he said, adding that such exercise has been carried out on a regular basis, but not just as a kneejerk reaction.
He appealed to the public to not indulge in cultivation of poppy and not involve in any form of encroachment into forest land or breaking up of land inside Reserve Forest areas for any sorts of cultivation, as it is illegal.
FIR will be registered against the respective village chief if any land is found cultivating poppy in the forest, he cautioned.
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