Security Forces, in collaboration with district authorities and forest officials, carried out major anti-narcotics operations in Kangpokpi and Tengnoupal districts, destroying a combined 41 acres of illegal poppy cultivation and dismantling multiple support structures used by cultivators.
The operations reflect the state’s continued crackdown on illicit poppy farming as part of the ongoing War on Drugs.
26 Acres Cleared at Holjang Hill Ranges, Kangpokpi
In Kangpokpi district, Security Forces joined hands with the Kangpokpi Forest Division to destroy approximately 26 acres of illegal poppy cultivation in the Holjang hill ranges.
Items Destroyed in the Kangpokpi Operation
26 acres of mature poppy plants
17 huts used as temporary shelters or storage
07 bags of fertilizer
03 bags of salt
All structures and materials were burned or destroyed on the spot. Officials noted that the remote terrain indicates organised, large-scale cultivation intended for narcotics processing.
15 Acres Cleared in Tengnoupal’s Khudei Khullen Hill Range
In a separate operation, Security Forces conducted an anti-narcotics sweep in the Khudei Khullen hill range under Tengnoupal Police Station, Tengnoupal district.
Here, approximately 15 acres of illegal poppy plantations were uprooted and destroyed.
Items Destroyed in the Tengnoupal Operation
15 acres of poppy plants
01 hut
01 temporary irrigation mechanism
03 chemical spraying pumps
The equipment was suspected to be used for maintaining the crop and applying chemical boosters.
Part of the Statewide Anti-Drug Action Plan
Authorities said the destruction drives in both districts were part of a larger coordinated effort to curb drug cultivation at the source.
Over the past months, multiple districts have reported similar operations, showing a clear decline in illegal plantations due to persistent enforcement.
A senior officer involved noted:
“These operations reinforce the message that illegal poppy cultivation will not be tolerated. Continuous monitoring and area domination are being maintained.”
Environmental Impact Highlighted
Officials also reiterated that widespread poppy cultivation contributes to:
Clearing of forest cover
Soil degradation
Erosion and loss of biodiversity
Disruption to tribal land-use patterns
Forest teams emphasised that such plantations often require burning large patches of land, causing long-term ecological harm.
Summary Table
| District | Location | Poppy Destroyed | Huts/Structures | Other Items |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kangpokpi | Holjang Hill Ranges | ~26 acres | 17 huts | 7 fertilizer bags, 3 salt bags |
| Tengnoupal | Khudei Khullen Hill Range | ~15 acres | 1 hut, 1 irrigation setup | 3 chemical sprayers |