Security forces, in coordination with the Ukhrul district Forest Department, destroyed large tracts of illegal poppy cultivation in Manipur’s hill districts as part of an intensified anti-narcotics अभियान, officials said on Wednesday.
The joint operation was conducted on December 17 at multiple locations in Ukhrul district, including LM Block, Yaolen Chepu, and Lamlai Chingphei. During the drive, around 140 acres of illegal poppy plantations were identified and completely destroyed. Sixteen makeshift huts found at the plantation sites—suspected to have been used by cultivators and labourers—were also dismantled and set ablaze during the clearance operation.
Authorities stated that the action is part of ongoing efforts to curb illegal drug cultivation and dismantle networks involved in the narcotics trade in the region.
Meanwhile, in a separate operation on December 16, security forces arrested an active cadre of the proscribed outfit SOREPA from Lamding Nashikhong Leikai under Thoubal Police Station in Thoubal district.
The arrested individual was identified as Khundrakpam Bitanjit Meitei alias Tomcha (31), a resident of Heirok Part-II, Laimayum, Thoubal district. A mobile phone along with a SIM card was seized from his possession during the arrest.
