In a decisive crackdown against the drug trade, authorities in Manipur’s hilly Kangpokpi district have eradicated over 306 acres of illegal poppy cultivation in just six days. This sweeping operation marks a significant victory in the state’s ongoing battle against narcotics production.
The campaign kicked off early last week, with teams from the police, forest department, and local administration fanning out across remote hilly terrains. Poppy, the raw material for opium and heroin, thrives in these hard-to-reach areas, making enforcement a perennial challenge. Over the six-day period, relentless raids dismantled sprawling plantations that spanned multiple villages.
Eyewitnesses reported bulldozers and manual laborers working round the clock to uproot the plants, ensuring no trace remained. Officials estimate the destroyed crop could have yielded thousands of kilograms of opium, fueling the illicit drug market across Northeast India and beyond.
This operation underscores Manipur’s renewed commitment to curbing drug syndicates that exploit the region’s geography. Local leaders hailed the effort, noting it disrupts supply chains and protects vulnerable youth from addiction. However, experts caution that poppy cultivation often rebounds without sustained development and alternative livelihood programs.
As the state government pledges more such drives, residents in Kangpokpi hope this signals the beginning of a drug-free future. The success has boosted morale among anti-narcotics forces, who now eye similar actions in neighboring districts.