Destroying of poppy plantation in Manipur started

View of poppy plantation in Manipur Hill region. Photo:IFP

Imphal, 23 Nov: On the first day of the drive, Manipur police on Saturday assisted by state and Central security forces and district administration began the destruction of poppy fields in Churachandpur district.

The state also warned legal action against derogatory remarks, particularly inciting communal tension against its drive through social media networks, informing registration of two FIR cases in this regard.

“The state police are all set to begin the mass drive of destruction across the state. The drive is to be done with coordination of the state and Central security force like the Assam Rifles,” he said.

The state police have also identified poppy cultivation areas in the state with the help of satellite imagery and ground survey and chalked out plans for the intensified drive.

The Chief Minister ask villagers to choose alternative means of livelihood like plantation of palm trees, lemongrass and other horticulture items or mithun rearing instead of poppy plantation in hill areas of Manipur as a part of the “War of Drugs” launched in November 2018 by the state government.

We would rather prefer “Campaign against Drugs” instead of using the word “War” as the campaign needs to take into consideration the rehabilitation of drug addicts and also a support structure for shifting to alternative crops instead of poppy.

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