A joint team of Imphal East District Police and the Narcotics & Affairs of Border (NAB) wing of Manipur Police destroyed over five acres of poppy plantation in Chanung Khunjing hill range under Sagolmang Police Station in Manipur on Monday.
According to media reports, the poppy plantation worth around Rs 25 lakh was destroyed during a joint operation carried out by Imphal East Police and NAB personnel as a part of the massive drive against poppy cultivation in different districts in the last few days.
Manipur has been witnessing a massive drive against poppy plantation in different districts across Manipur, particularly in the remote areas after Chief Minister N Biren Singh had announced to tackle drug menace in the State by punishing the persons involved in it after he coming to power.
Similar operations were carried out in the hilly terrain near Sangkhai village under Ukhrul district recently.
A team of Kangpokpi District Police and NAB personnel had destroyed a large area of poppy plantations at Thangjing village hill range under Saikul sub-division of Ukhrul district.
Churachandpur District Police also raided various shops and godowns on charges of being involved in dealing in illegal tobacco products within the district headquarters on Monday.
The Churachandpur Police also seized large quantity of banned tobacco products worth Rs 4 lakh and arrested a total of seven persons in this connection.
The seized tobacco products included 905 Sadar, Baba 120, Baba Black, Sajan Tobacco, Balkimi tobacco, Rally Khaini tobacco, Nerula Tobacco and others.
On January 27, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said that a Fast Track Court would be set up soon to tackle drug menace and punish the drug smugglers and those who are associated with such business in the State.
The Fast Track Court would replace the present Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Court and will hear all the cases related to drug cases.
After his announcement, a 16-member committee headed by Manipur Chief Secretary RR Rashmi was formed to monitor the actions taken by the enforcing agencies for prevention, control, sale of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
The Rashmi-led committee would also identify and implement alternative economic activities for diverting the farmers from cultivation of such crops and allocate the task to different departments and to take suitable measures for eradication of drug menace in the State.
The other members of the committee include the Director General of Police (DGP), Administrative Secretaries, ADGP/IGP (LO), ADGP/IGP (Intelligence), GOC of 57 Mountain Division, IG Assam Rifles, Commissioner (Excise), all Deputy Commissioners, SPs, SP of NAB, Deputy Commissioner of Customs, Imphal, Assistant Commissioner of Central Excise, Regional Director of NCB, Regional unit, Imphal and Special Secretary (Home).