IMPHAL, Dec 17: Manipur Police, in a joint operation with the forest department and the Assam Rifles, destroyed approximately 70 acres of illegal poppy cultivation in Ukhrul district on Monday. This crackdown is part of the state’s continued efforts to combat illicit drug production and trafficking.
The operation was conducted across three villages—Phalee, Tora, and Champhung—under the Lungchong Maiphei police station area. In addition to clearing the poppy fields, the team also burned down 13 huts located within the plantations.
Authorities have registered an FIR and launched an investigation to identify those responsible for the illegal cultivation. This operation follows a similar one just a week ago, in which police and forest department personnel destroyed 55 acres of poppy crops in Shihai Khullen, also in Ukhrul district.
Since 2017, the Manipur government has eradicated a total of 19,135.6 acres of illegal poppy plantations across 12 districts, utilizing remote sensing and GIS technology. Kangpokpi district recorded the highest destruction, with 4,454.4 acres cleared, followed by Ukhrul with 3,348 acres and Churachandpur with 2,713.8 acres.
