Poppy cultivation destroyed

Imphal: A total of about 48 acres of poppy cultivation were destroyed at Leingangching hill range in Kamjong district and Sinakeithei hill range in Ukhrul district and Kamu Ching-Bongyang hill range in Senapati district on Thursday.

The destructions at Leingangching hill range and Sinakeithei hill range were carried out a combined team of Ukhrul district police, 6th MR, NAB, Forest department and 9th IRB sports personnel along with villagers of Leingangching and Sinakeithei (161 manpower).

A total of about 22 acres of poppy were destroyed by the combined team at these two locations.

Another combined team of district police, Imphal East assisted by NAB, Forest department, and BSF along with executive magistrate conducted poppy destruction drive in Kamu Ching-Bongyang hill range. The combined team destroyed poppy plants grown in an area of about 25/26 acres.

The combined team is stationed at Maphou Dam police station and will continue poppy plant destruction in the adjoining areas on the next day. Efforts will be made to arrest illegal poppy plant growers, a police report said.

“We will not rest till our goal is achieved,” chief minister N. Biren Singh said and thanked all who took the poppy destruction drives.