Poppy plants on 70 acres destroyed near Indo-Myanmar border pillars in Manipur

Imphal: In continuation of Manipur government’s drive against Poppy cultivation, 70 acres of Poppy cultivation were destroyed at Kholmunlen and Khongtal area in Chakpikrong Sub-division of Chandel District near Indo-Myanmar border pillars 51 and 52 on Friday.

The Poppy destruction was carried out by a joint team of Chandel district police and 8 Manipur Rifles Leikun with administrative and tactical support of Sajik Bn 15 AR  led by SDPO/ Chandel under the supervision of SP, Chandel.

In the recent past Manipur Police has arrested seven village leaders including five village chiefs in connection with Poppy cultivation.

Despite the government led by chief minister N. Biren Singh’s warning,  continued destruction of Poppy cultivation and provision of alternative farming, Poppy cultivation continues in the state.

An editor of a newspaper, Hemantakumar Ningombam  was detained for giving suggestion on eradication of Poppy cultivation. He suggested to take the help of two distinguished women to bring an end to the cultivation of the drug plant.

Rights Defender’s Alert has appealed to the National Human  Rights Commission to treat the the journalist detention case as a case of reprisal against a journalist and human rights defender for exercising his constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights, and urged the NHRC to urgently direct the Manipur DGP to initiate an immediate, independent, thorough, transparent, effective and impartial investigation into the arbitrary detention of journalist and submit a report to the NHRC within two weeks. It also urged to provide security to the journalist as he stands at further risk of reprisals and submit a report to the NHRC within two weeks.