Security Forces, in a coordinated effort with the Forest Department and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), carried out a major anti-narcotics operation in the hill ranges of Kotlen village under Kangpokpi Police Station, destroying approximately 41 acres of illegal poppy cultivation.
The operation, conducted as part of the ongoing crackdown on narcotics cultivation across Manipur’s hill districts, targeted remote plantation clusters that have long fuelled drug production networks in the region.
Extensive Infrastructure Found and Destroyed
During the operation, the joint team located multiple makeshift structures and cultivation inputs used to sustain the poppy fields. In total, the forces destroyed:
23 huts used by cultivators
9 bags of fertilizers
11 herbicide packets
4 bags of salt
Other equipment and materials tied to the illicit plantation process
The destruction of these support materials is expected to hamper the ability of poppy growers to resume cultivation in the near future.
Part of a Wider Crackdown on Narcotics Cultivation
Officials involved in the operation said that the poppy fields were spread across steep terrain in the Kotlen ranges, requiring coordinated movement and logistical support. The drive reflects the state’s continued push to curb narcotics production and dismantle illegal cultivation networks.
Over the past months, similar operations have been conducted in Ukhrul, Tengnoupal, Senapati, and Kangpokpi districts, with thousands of acres of poppy plants uprooted and burned.
Authorities say the sustained action is aimed at addressing:
Environmental degradation caused by slash-and-burn poppy cultivation
Rising narcotics trafficking along cross-border routes
The growing threat of organised drug networks
Forest officials also highlighted that continuous poppy farming severely harms forest cover, soil quality, and water sources — an ecological impact that has long-term consequences for surrounding villages.
Enhanced Coordination Between Agencies
The joint participation of the NCB, Forest Department, and Security Forces indicates strengthened inter-agency coordination under the state’s anti-narcotics strategy.
By sharing intelligence and resources, the agencies have been able to reach previously inaccessible locations and dismantle more sophisticated cultivation structures.
Officials said the momentum will continue, with more search and destruction drives being planned in identified hotspots.
Community Support Remains Key
Authorities reiterated that public cooperation remains crucial in identifying illegal poppy fields and preventing re-cultivation. Local communities in several districts have begun partnering with enforcement teams, while awareness programmes have encouraged shifts toward sustainable livelihood options.