Our Correspondent
Imphal, Feb.4 (EMN): Continuing its drive against the illegal plantation of poppy plants, a combined of security forces in association with the Narcotics and Affairs of Border (NAB) and Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) teams destroyed a large amount of poppy cultivated illegally in an area covering around 130 acres in Manipur’s Churachandpur district on Saturday, reports from the hill district headquarters, 65km south of Imphal said on Saturday.
The day’s drive was led by Additional SP(Ops) Binod Ranjan , Additional SP (Law and Order) L Khongsai, SDPO Augustine Khognsai, SDC/ Sangaikot, Officer in charge Sangaikot, women police comprising of 100 personnel from Churachandpur district police, 6 from Narcotics and Affairs of Border(NAB), 4 from Narcotics Control Bureau(NCB),11 personnel of 25 Assam Rifles.
Two executive magistrate of the district also accompanied the drive undertaken by the combined security forces wherein poppy planted in an area of 130 acres in three regions- Monglian (62 acres), Salvaphai (60 acres) and B Khomunnuam (8 acres) at two locations were destroyed, sources added.
Approximate amount of poppy plantation which was destroyed in the day’s drive is estimated around Rs. 5.32 Cr. according to NCB.
The destruction drive will continue for the next few days, sources from Churachandpur district police said.
On February 1 poppy plantations worth Rs. 3.5 cr. were destroyed at five different locations of Churachandpur district.
The widespread drive against drug abuse was taken up in the state in order to tackle the drug menace and punish the drug smugglers since the ten days.
The drive was initiated after the state Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren expressed serious concern over the report of continuous seizing of narcotics drugs from various parts of the state besides apprehending the accused persons as well.
The drive includes destruction of (illegal) poppy plantation in the remote areas of the state.
