IMPHAL: Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh asserted on Thursday (April 25) that the BJP-led state government’s anti-drug initiatives have resulted in the recovery of heroin, opium, tablets and other contraband worth over Rs 60 thousand crores in the sensitive border state.
Since assuming power in 2017, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Manipur government has waged an aggressive campaign against illicit substances, said chief minister N Biren Singh.
The Manipur chief minister revealed that law enforcement agencies have eradicated over 20 thousand hectares of poppy plantations across the state.
Moreover, a total of 3066 individuals, including women, have been apprehended under the narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances (NDPS) act, with 225 persons convicted under the NDPS Act, the Manipur CM informed.
Manipur CM N Biren Singh emphasized the launch of the “War on Drugs” campaign in November 2018, aimed at safeguarding youths of the state and the environment.
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During the tenure of the first BJP government in Manipur (2017-2022), drug seizures amounted to Rs 317.97 crore, while under second term of the BJP (2022-23), seizures totalled Rs 136.93 crore.
Notably, extensive eradication efforts led to the destruction of 14,359.4 acres of poppy cultivation and 20 acres of cannabis during BJP 1.0 (2017-2022), with an additional 4305.1 acres of illegal poppy cultivation destroyed under BJP 2.0 (2022-23) in Manipur.
Furthermore, a significant number of arrests were made during both terms, with 1960 individuals (1594 male, 366 female) apprehended for drug-related offenses during BJP 1.0 (2017-2022) and 720 individuals (582 male, 138 female) arrested during BJP 2.0 (2022-23).
In 2022 alone, drug seizures amounted to Rs 122.78 crore, with 625 individuals (512 male, 113 female) arrested in drug-related cases, and 3517.8 acres of poppy cultivation eradicated in Manipur.
Additionally, in 2023, drug seizures totalled Rs 25.36 crore, with 165 individuals (132 male, 33 female) arrested across 175 cases, and 787.3 acres of poppy cultivation destroyed as of September 23 last year.