IT News
Imphal, Jan18:
The Forest Department of Manipur has initiated special operations against illegal poppy cultivation in forest areas from January 16 onwards, as decided in a meeting chaired by the Forest and Environment Minister Thongam Biswajit Singh held on January 15 at the Forest Department.
In the first Phase, areas under Churachandpur Forest Division, Kangpoki Forest Division and Chandel Forest Division are being taken up.
On the first day, under Churachandpur district, about 50 hectares of illegal poppy cultivated at V. Lhangnom, Thangjing hills were destroyed by joint teams of 190 personnel from Churachandpur Forest Division, Police, NAB, 1st IRB and 2nd IRB and an FIR case have been registered accordingly. Similarly, 80 personnel of Kangpokpi Forest Division, Police, NAB, and 151 MR destroyed 4.23 hectares of illegal poppy cultivation at Harup Naga under Kangpokpi Forest Division; and 70 personnel from Kangpokpi Forest, Police, NAB, and MR destroyed 10.12 hectare of poppy cultivation at Mongjang, Saikul and an FIR case have been registered. Further, about 3 hectares of poppy plantation have been destroyed at Laison village, Tuikhong block under the Unclassed Forest of Chandel Forest Division. Under Churachandpur district, about 55 hectares of illegal poppy Mongken, Thangjing Hills, Churachandpur Khoupum PF has been destroyed by joint teams of 165 personnel from Churachandpur Forest Division, Police, NAB, 1st IRB & IRB and an FIR case has been registered. Similarly, a joint team of Kangpokpi Forest Division, District KPI, and Imphal East destroyed 3.5 hectares and 17 hectares of illegal poppy cultivation at T Khullen, Saikhul Range and Lhangsom Village, Saikhul respectively under Kangpokpi Forest Division. FIR has been registered under NDPS Act. 80 personnel from Ukhrul Forest, Police, and 6th MR destroyed 20 hectare of poppy cultivation at Champhung Hill range under Unclassed Forest of Ukhrul Forest Division and an FIR case has been registered under NDPS Act.
During the operations, a total area of 170 hectares of poppy plantation has been destroyed. Huts and articles used in the cultivation of poppy such as fertilizers, salt packets, herbicides, etc were burnt and destroyed.
A Press release by the Forest Dept said, “The Forest Department will continue these intensive operations in these Forest Divisions and will carry out operations in other Forest Divisions wherever poppy cultivation is detected by involving all concerned Departments. POR/FIR will continue to be registered as per relevant Acts/ Rules for taking up illegal poppy plantations in Forest areas against persons responsible. Further, stern legal action will follow up. Altogether, 5 (five) FIRS have been Fled against village Chiefs/ Cultivators/unknown persons. Illicit poppy cultivation in forest areas violates provisions of the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985. The use of forest land for non-forest purposes violates the provision of the Forest (Conservation) Act 1980, the Indian Forest Act 1972, and The Manipur Forest Rules 2021. Poppy plantations have been found inside notified forest areas which is a clear violation of the Acta/ Rules governing the Forests. The opium/ poppy is a key source of many narcotics and psychotropic drugs and leads to substance abuse in society while poppy cultivation is a serious threat to the forest, environment, and surrounding areas. The deforestation and degradation due to poppy cultivation on vast tracts of forests have become one of the major causes of deforestation and degradation of forests in the State. Forest Department, therefore, makes an earnest appeal to all local communities to refrain from indulging in poppy cultivation and join hands in the ‘War on Drugs’ Campaign to eradicate poppy cultivation in the forest areas as well as protect the forests.”