IMPHAL, Jan 25: A joint team comprising Manipur Police, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Forest Department, and an Executive Magistrate conducted a major operation on January 24, targeting illegal poppy cultivation in the hills of Lhungjang village, located under Saikul Police Station in Kangpokpi District. During the operation, approximately 35 acres of illegal poppy fields were destroyed.
Following the destruction of the poppy crops, security forces carried out search operations in the surrounding fringe and vulnerable areas of the hill and valley districts. These efforts led to the recovery of a significant cache of arms and ammunition.
Among the items seized were a Self-Loading Rifle (SLR) without a magazine, a Submachine Gun (SMG) Carbine also without a magazine, and a .32 pistol (marked as Made in USA) with a magazine. Additionally, two country-made 51mm mortars, two live .32 caliber rounds of ammunition, a No. 36 Hand Grenade without a detonator, a No. 80 Mark-1 Grenade, a 50-meter Smoke Shell, and a Baofeng wireless radio set were recovered.
The operation took place in the Awang Potsangbam hill area under Heingang Police Station, Imphal East District. An FIR has been registered for further investigation.
