Imphal: The Kangpokpi district administration has stepped up its campaign against illegal poppy cultivation and drug trafficking, directing security agencies and government departments to tighten surveillance of supply chains and complete eradication measures within a fixed timeframe ahead of the upcoming elections.
In a parallel enforcement operation, a joint security team destroyed around 45 acres of illegal poppy fields along the Thangjing Hill Range.
The operation involved the Churachandpur District Police, 1st India Reserve Battalion (IRB), 58th Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Narcotics and Border Affairs (NAB) and the Forest Department.
No suspects were found at the site during the raid. An Executive Magistrate supervised the operation, while official summonses were later issued to the chief of Lhangnom village over jurisdictional oversight.
Administration sets deadline for eradication
Kangpokpi District Administration and Narcotics Coordination Centre (NCORD) Chairman Hemant Kumar has directed security forces and relevant departments to eliminate all poppy cultivation before the plants reach the flowering stage.
The directive requires strict compliance with Election Commission of India (ECI) guidelines.
The administration has also instructed police and Sub-Divisional Officers to take action against fertiliser dealers found facilitating illegal cultivation. Such action must be completed within two weeks.
In a separate directive, the Chief Medical Officer has been asked to deploy a Drug Inspector to monitor local chemical shops. The inspector will also examine whether the shops have installed mandatory CCTV systems, with the audit scheduled for completion by the end of the month.
Joint operations underway
Superintendent of Police Rahul Gupta said authorities had completed the mapping and identification of illegal poppy cultivation areas.
He added that joint operations involving the Forest Department, central security forces and civil society organisations were underway to tackle the problem.
Authorities have also urged residents and government officials to report information about illegal activities directly to Police Headquarters or the respective local Officers-in-Charge.
The intensified measures form part of the district administration’s efforts to curb illegal poppy cultivation and drug trafficking ahead of the elections.