Security forces clear 25 acres of illegal poppy fields in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district

Guwahati: The security forces have destroyed around 25 acres of illegal poppy cultivation in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district.

A Defence spokesperson said that based on intelligence inputs regarding illicit poppy cultivation, Assam Rifles, in association with the CRPF and Manipur Police, launched a joint operation in the Loibol Khullen areas of Kangpokpi district on Saturday morning and continued till late evening.

The operation involved large-scale area domination and the search for suspected pockets. During the operation, the joint team discovered and destroyed around 25 acres of illicit poppy cultivation, which had the potential to yield over 170 kg of opium worth multiple crores, dealing a significant blow to illegal drug networks active in the region, he said.


The spokesperson said the intensive operation was conducted under challenging terrain and adverse weather conditions. The crackdown highlights the unwavering efforts of Assam Rifles to curb illicit narcotics cultivation and dismantle the financial networks that fuel insurgency and other anti-national activities.

This successful operation reaffirms the steadfast commitment of the Assam Rifles towards fostering a drug-free Northeast and contributing to long-term peace, stability and socio-economic development in the region, an Assam Rifles statement said.

On November 12, the Assam Rifles, along with the CRPF and Manipur Police, destroyed around 25 acres of illicit poppy cultivation in the Kangpokpi district. These destroyed poppy fields had the potential to yield around 190 kg of opium worth multiple crores.

On November 2, the Assam Rifles, along with other security forces, also destroyed illegal poppy plantations cultivated over a total of 30 acres in the same Kangchup district.