In one of the largest anti-narcotics operations in the district this year, joint teams of security and enforcement agencies destroyed around 80 acres of illegal poppy cultivation at two separate locations along the fringes of Ukhrul district on Tuesday.
The coordinated operation was carried out by personnel from the Manipur Police, Forest Department, Narcotic Affairs and Border (NAB), Border Security Force (BSF), and Assam Rifles, reflecting intensified inter-agency cooperation under the state’s ongoing campaign against illicit drug cultivation.
Two Locations Targeted in the Operation
According to officials, the destruction drive was conducted at:
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Yaolen–Lamlai Chingphei area
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LM Block area
At the Yaolen–Lamlai Chingphei site, the joint team destroyed approximately 48 acres of poppy plantation, along with two huts believed to have been used by cultivators for shelter and storage.
Meanwhile, at the LM Block area, another 32 acres of poppy fields were eradicated, and three huts found at the site were also dismantled and burnt down.
| Location | Area Destroyed | Huts Destroyed |
|---|---|---|
| Yaolen–Lamlai Chingphei | ~48 acres | 2 |
| LM Block | ~32 acres | 3 |
| Total | ~80 acres | 5 huts |
Part of Sustained Anti-Narcotics Push
Officials said the plantations were located in difficult, forested terrain, requiring careful planning and coordinated movement of forces. The use of multiple agencies ensured both security coverage and environmental compliance during the destruction process.
The operation forms part of a sustained state-wide effort to curb illegal poppy cultivation, which authorities say fuels narcotics trafficking, environmental degradation, and organised crime networks.
Forest officials accompanying the teams pointed out that poppy cultivation often involves clearing large swathes of forest land, leading to soil erosion, water scarcity, and long-term ecological damage in hill districts.
Focus on Supply-Side Disruption
Law enforcement agencies have increasingly shifted focus toward supply-side disruption, targeting cultivation at its source rather than limiting action to seizures and arrests downstream.
Officials involved in the operation noted that destroying plantations and associated infrastructure—such as huts used by cultivators—is critical to preventing immediate re-cultivation.
Similar operations have been carried out in recent months across Ukhrul, Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal, Senapati, and other hill districts.
Authorities Call for Public Cooperation
Security agencies reiterated that community cooperation remains essential in identifying illegal cultivation sites and preventing their resurgence.
Residents have been encouraged to report suspicious land use while being assured that enforcement efforts are focused on illegal activity, not on ordinary livelihoods.
Officials indicated that surveillance and follow-up checks would continue in vulnerable areas to ensure that cleared land is not replanted.