Manipur authorities have launched a thunderous assault on drug cultivation, obliterating 306 acres of poppy fields in Kangpokpi’s rugged hills over a mere six days. This blitzkrieg-style operation has sent shockwaves through narco-trafficking networks operating in the region.
Coordinated by a multi-agency task force, the drive targeted notorious hotspots where poppy fields camouflaged among tea gardens and forests. From dawn patrols to nighttime surveillance, no stone was left unturned. Destroyers used a mix of machinery and manpower to torch and till under the contraband crops, reducing them to barren earth.
The scale is staggering: 306 acres represent a multi-crore loss to growers linked to organized crime. Poppy here isn’t just a crop; it’s the lifeblood of heroin labs dotting the Indo-Myanmar border. By choking this supply, officials aim to starve downstream markets in Imphal and beyond.
Community involvement proved pivotal, with village councils tipping off teams about hidden plots. Yet, the war on drugs demands more than raids—rural poverty drives farmers to poppy for quick cash. Government promises of crop substitution schemes now face real pressure to deliver.
This triumph in Kangpokpi sets a template for Manipur’s highlands. As cleanup continues, the message is clear: the state’s iron fist against drugs is swinging harder than ever.
