Manipur’s security forces conducted a major operation on December 20 targeting illegal poppy cultivation in Kangpokpi district, uprooting 42 acres of plantations spread across the hill ranges of L. Simol, Jangnomphai, and SP Ngaimun.
During the operation, authorities demolished 20 huts set up at the plantation sites and recovered items including 15 packets of salt, five kilograms of fertiliser, five litres of herbicide, and five kilograms of poppy seeds.
This action is part of a larger five-day campaign against illegal poppy cultivation. From December 16 to 20, security forces removed nearly 559 acres of poppy plantations in multiple areas of Ukhrul district. The operations covered hill ranges near Yaolen, Lamlai Chingphei, Shongphel, and Mullam under Litan police station, as well as regions around Torah, Champhung, Teinem, Phalee, and Changta under Somdal police station.
In Ukhrul, the authorities destroyed 82 huts and seized poppy pods from the sites. Three FIRs have been registered in connection with the anti-poppy drive.
In a separate incident, MD Habib, 28, from Sangaiyumpham Part-I, Mairelkhun, was arrested at the Naka Check Post in Tengnoupal district. Police recovered 212 grams of brown sugar, an Eeco van, identity documents including an election card, PAN card, registration certificate, a mobile phone, and 18 empty soap cases from him.
On the same day, Manipur Police also arrested two men from Andro Machengpat, Imphal East, near Pallel bridge under Kakching police station. The suspects, Heikrujam Rabichandra Singh, 34, and Heikrujam Ramananda Singh, 25, were found with around 400 litres of illicit country liquor and a four-wheeler vehicle, both of which were seized by authorities.