Manipur’s scenic beauty is covered by the expanding opium poppy trade, which threatens our state’s future by undermining communities, breaking families, and fuelling global narcotics networks. We pay a heavy price for it – losing lives, addiction has risen, families have been torn apart, forests have been cleared, and the environment is damaged.
I respect differing views, focus on progress, and see strong evidence and shared effort pointing toward a better future for Manipur. I personally view this challenge from the perspective of a glass half full. Despite challenges, there is remarkable progress we can celebrate and move forward.
The “War on Drugs” launched in Manipur in 2018 under N. Biren Singh continues today. Progress is measurable, but challenges remain. We need consistency in committed leadership, national leadership support, regional coordination, sustainable alternatives, disruption of trafficking networks, collective effort, and the restoration of normalcy for lasting impact.
Facing the Crisis – Leadership That Dares
Launching the War on Drugs required extraordinary courage. Former Chief Minister Singh initiated this campaign in 2018 with a strong personal conviction under his leadership, recognising the destructive nature of the growth in expansion. He warned that the Golden Triangle drug corridor was expanding into India via Manipur, placing the state at the centre of global narcotics networks.
Obviously, confronting powerful interests from those with different views requires accepting political risk in the service of moral necessity. As Aristotle observed, “You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor.” True leadership is having the courage to do what’s right, even in the face of challenges, and putting the future above present comfort.
Also Read | United Manipur vs Illegal Poppy
Former Chief Minister Singh showed courage by confronting the crisis, sparking open discussion and action, and the current administration’s continuation reflects sustained leadership and institutional commitment.
National Leadership Joins the Fight – United Against Narcotics
Our Union Home Minister, Amit Shah announced a three-year nationwide anti-narcotics crackdown starting March 31. The campaign targets supply, demand, and harm reduction to protect youth and move India toward a drug-free future. His order for departments to submit detailed roadmaps by March 31 sets clear targets and fixed reviews. The national campaign’s emphasis on attacking the entire drug network – from kingpins and financiers to logistics routes and processing facilities. Drug seizures increased elevenfold from 2014 to 2025, and opium poppy destruction rose from 10,770 acres in 2020 to 40,000 acres by November 2025 – The Hindu 10 Jan 2026.
State action now aligns with national resolve. Minister Shah’s leadership traits align with state leadership. He names the problem directly, commits to sustained action, and treats the challenge as one demanding courage across all levels of government – aligns perfectly with what Manipur has learned through years of ground – level operations. Joining a nationwide effort has strengthened Manipur’s fight against drugs, providing shared resources and intelligence, with results showing major gains in seizures and opium eradication.
Committed to Change – Results Through Resolve
Results validate leadership commitment, and the campaign is working in concrete, verifiable ways. Between 11 and 23 November 2025, joint operations by the Army, Assam Rifles, CRPF, BSF, and Manipur Police destroyed over 675 acres of illegal poppy fields across six hill districts – Sentinel Assam 27 Nov 2025. As per The Shillong Times (26 Dec 2025), 1.60 lakh methamphetamine tablets worth over ₹40 crore from a truck in Jiribam district were seized. The Manipur Police disposed of more than 332 kg of seized narcotic substances at the Shija Common Bio Medical Waste Treatment Facility in Imphal West district – The Indian Express 27 Sept 2025.
Also Read | Lincoln’s Lesson: A House Divided Cannot Stand
Achom (NDTV 14 April 2024) reported satellite imagery from the Manipur Remote Sensing Applications Centre (MARSAC) shows about a 60% drop in poppy cultivation between 2021-22 and 2023-24. Between 2017 and 2023, security forces destroyed over 77 square kilometres of illegal cultivation and made nearly 3,000 arrests. Also, 142 hectares of poppy cultivation have been rehabilitated through afforestation (MoEFCC 16 Dec 2024). Focused action delivers results, but the challenge remains, and the fight must continue.
Communities United – Fighting Drugs, Securing Tomorrow
The challenge remains grave, despite progress. It is sad that an addiction rates among youth are rising, with families witnessing their children lose health, education, and employment opportunities. Meanwhile, poppy cultivation is transforming landscapes.
Opium and synthetic drugs produced in the state feed supply chains that reach markets across the globe. Manipur has become a critical hub in global narcotics networks. Each kilogram grown or trafficked here not only perpetuates addiction crises abroad but also erodes the social and economic fabric of local communities.
Persistent Threats, Resolute Action – Manipur’s Fight Against Narcotics
Obviously, significant hurdles still persist despite immense efforts. According to Mishra on the Myanmar Survey 2025, there was an increase of opium poppy cultivation by 17 per cent in one year, rising from 45,200 hectares in 2024 to 53,100 hectares in 2025. It is the highest record in a decade (UN News 3 Dec 2025). Han reported that in Chin State, the cultivation increased by 26%, and 552 hectares of poppy cultivation in the northern Sagaing Region near the India border was identified – Reuters Dec 2025 . The first detection in the Sagaing Region, alongside expansion in Chin State, are the indicating factors causing rising risks for neighbouring territories.
Also Read | The Call for Justice: Ending Manipur’s Illegal Poppy Economy
Illicit poppy cultivation in the hill districts persists, driven by conflict, limited livelihood alternatives and the enforcement needs to strengthen. Porous borders and flexible trafficking networks, along with persistent drug demand, are the factors that continue to sustain the market. Corruption in law enforcement weakens trust and effectiveness Since May 2023, the conflict has complicated operations, driving cultivation deeper into areas where oversight becomes nearly impossible.
The Regional Dimension – Uniting for a Drug-Free Northeast
Drug trafficking operates across state lines with high strategic coordination. Manipur alone cannot counter a regional opium supply network. Combination of synchronized enforcement, shared intelligence, joint patrolling, coordinated border checkpoints, and harmonized policies for alternative livelihoods and rehabilitation are essential for unified strategy for the nation. The Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) mechanism offers a four-tier coordination framework that links Manipur’s operations with central agencies, bridging jurisdictional gaps and supporting sustainable, long-term results.
Determined to Win – Protecting Our Future from Drugs
This fight is achievable through sustained commitment. Thailand’s reduction of opium cultivation was a long-term effort. Initial failures gave way to success through persistence, community alternatives, and a shared commitment to the goal.
We must bring that same determination to Manipur’s challenge. Who will allow our children’s futures to be stolen by addiction? Who wants our environment being damaged under illicit crops? I hope you are with me – this fight is for our own well-being, for our survival as a healthy society and for our future generations.
Foundations for Success – Peace, Accountability, and Action
Tackling both supply and demand simultaneously is essential. Strengthening border control, systematically reducing poppy cultivation, and promoting high-value alternative crops and livelihoods are key to addressing the economic and security challenges of poppy-growing regions.
Disrupt networks at their core by strengthening intelligence to track higher-level syndicates, targeting processing facilities, dismantling distribution networks, and pursuing financial flows. Curb demand through community outreach on drug harms and accessible rehabilitation services that extend beyond initial treatment to include reintegration assistance and community – based support.
Also Read | Opium Crisis – Manipur’s Cry for Change
Strengthen governance through strict accountability measures for corruption, building public reporting mechanisms for community cooperation. Trust in institutions is fundamental to sustained success.
Most critically, restore peace. Conflict is not merely a complicating factor – it is the operational foundation’s collapse. Without peace, enforcement stays reactive, rehabilitation fails, and development programs cannot take root. Peace enables every other intervention to succeed.
Reflection – The Choice Before Us!
United Manipuri society stands at a defining moment. The convergence of state experience and national mobilisation creates an exceptional opportunity for breakthrough progress. The policy shows clear direction, and results validate the approach, but urgency remains.
Success requires collective action, mutual national cooperation – especially regional, and shared commitment to public welfare. Effective leadership, fuelled by passion and collective effort, is key for our future generations.
Definitely, persistence overcomes setbacks and shapes the future. Thailand’s success proves that unity can defeat even entrenched drug economies. With the same spirit, let Manipur can rise above this challenge confidently! As the saying goes, every little helps, and we each hold a piece of the solution.
Joshua 1:9 NIV – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
The views expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Ukhrul Times. Ukhrul Times values and encourages diverse perspectives. The author is an international development consultant specialising in agriculture, horticulture, trade facilitation and sustainable development.