Ukhrul, Dec 9: The Manipur police, the central forces, and the forest department intensified operations against the poppy plantation in Manipur in the past few days. The operations in different districts resulted in the arrest of four persons and the destruction of about 39.76 acres of opium cultivation.
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According to media reports, during the operation conducted in the Khamason range of Ukhrul district bordering Myanmar, four persons were arrested for allegedly indulging in illegal poppy cultivation. The arrested individuals were identified as Peimi Ramsak (27), Lightson Shimrah (49), Kapangkhui Khashim and Yatei SV (22). The team destroyed about 30 acres of opium cultivation in the area.
The joint team in the presence of an Executive Magistrate conducted yet another poppy destruction drive in Senapati district’s Mao Pungdong area bordering Nagaland. The team destroyed one acre of the plantation area and initiated necessary action against the village chairman.
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The report further stated the team conducted a similar drive on December 5 in Kangpokpi’s Makuilongdi and Thonglang Atongba hill ranges and destroyed about 8.76 acres of poppy fields in the area. The officials had registered a case for further investigation into the matter.
It may be mentioned that the Manipur Government has an ongoing campaign on ‘War on Drugs’ to combat the growing number of poppy cultivation resulting in the loss of forest due to vast areas of land used for the illegal cultivation.
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