Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh has lauded the village authority and residents of the Peh village in Ukhrul district for their efforts in rooting out the illegal poppy cultivation from their village.

The village authority of Peh along with local residents is engaged in destroying huge illegal cultivations of poppy that are smuggled in large quantities across the border.

Also read: Assam: Police destroy 100 bighas of poppy cultivation

The Manipur government launched a war on drugs and has been taking numerous steps to prevent cross-border drug trafficking and rooting of large scale opium cultivation in the state is one of them.

Many farmers cultivate poppy precisely for it being profitable.

“In a delightful sign of public participation in governance, I’m happy to learn that the Peh(Paoyi) Village Authority situated in the northern fringe of Ukhrul District voluntarily joined the Govt.’s “War on Drugs” and has destroyed the poppy cultivation within its jurisdiction,” N Biren Singh tweeted.

“In ardent support of your campaign ‘War on drug’, my village has solemnly pledge to make our village ‘a poppy free village’. We’ll continue to support your campaign against drug menace in the state,” the Peh village authority stated in a message.