Manipur police on Wednesday claimed to have destroyed illegal poppy cultivation covering 1665 acres during the current crop season 2020-2021.
For the current crop season, the destruction drive was commenced from November 20, 2020 and is still going on, the state police said.
For the year 2020-2021, starting from November 20, the state Police department has destroyed 1665 acres of poppy plantation till date, the state police PRO said. He added that of this total, 910 acres were in Ukhrul district, 190 acres in Senapati district, 65 acres in Churachandpur district, 250 acres in Kangpokpi district 15 acres in Imphal East district, 65 acres in Tengnoupal district, 100 acres in Kamjong district and 70 acres in Chandel district.
“All these plantations were destroyed before harvesting,” the PRO said while reacting to questions raised by various civil society organisations through the media.
The civil society organisations have been questioning why the concerned authorities of the state take up steps to stop the illegal practice before it was cultivated. They also questioned whether the poppy plants were being destroyed after being harvested.
The police PRO stated that even before these destruction drives started, the state Police department hosted meetings with village chiefs for three times on 15th, 17th and 24th September, 2020.
NNN