Imphal: In a continued crackdown on illegal poppy cultivation, security forces in Manipur, in coordination with the Forest Department, destroyed approximately five acres of illicit poppy plantations in the Changpikot hill range near Kotzim village in Churachandpur district on February 13.
The operation, carried out in the presence of the District Magistrate of Churachandpur, was part of intensified efforts to curb the illegal trade in the state. Security personnel uprooted and set fire to the illicit crops while also seizing ten poppy pods as evidence. Poppy is the primary raw material for producing opium and other highly addictive narcotics, contributing to drug trafficking networks.
Earlier this week, authorities destroyed six acres of illegal poppy plantations in Kangpokpi district. The drive took place on a hill range between Khoripok and Sehjang villages under the jurisdiction of New Keithelmanbi police station.
According to official reports, the Manipur government has eradicated nearly 20,000 acres of illegal poppy cultivation across 12 districts since 2017. With security forces intensifying their operations, authorities remain committed to eliminating drug-related activities in the region.
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