Central and state security forces have destroyed more than 306 acres of illegal poppy cultivation in Manipur’s hill district of Kangpokpi in a sustained anti-narcotics operation carried out over six days, officials said on Sunday.
The joint operation, conducted between January 12 and January 17, involved Central and state security forces along with the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and the state Forest Department.
Officials said the coordinated action successfully dismantled large swathes of illicit poppy fields across multiple locations in the district, dealing a significant blow to the illegal drug trade.
A senior police official said the joint teams, comprising personnel from the Assam Rifles, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Manipur Police, also destroyed 43 temporary huts used by poppy cultivators.
Equipment such as spray pumps, pipes, salts and pesticides found at the sites were seized and destroyed on the spot.
According to officials, the destroyed fields had the potential to yield more than 2,080 kg of opium, valued at several crores of rupees in the illegal market.
The police official said the operation effectively prevented large-scale production and trafficking of narcotics from the region.
The official added that similar joint operations carried out in November and December last year led to the destruction of over 1,000 acres of illegal poppy cultivation across Manipur’s hill districts.
These operations involved the Army, Assam Rifles, CRPF, Border Security Force (BSF), NCB and Manipur Police.
Illegal poppy cultivation has been reported mainly in six hill districts — Kangpokpi, Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Chandel, Tengnoupal and Senapati.
Officials said the destruction of more than 1,000 acres of poppy fields during the two-month period had the potential to prevent the production of nearly 9,000 kg of opium, estimated to be worth several hundred crores of rupees.
A Defence spokesman said the recent operations were conducted in extremely difficult terrain and adverse weather conditions, underlining the commitment of Assam Rifles and other security forces to curb narcotics production and dismantle the financial networks that fuel insurgency and other anti-national activities.
A senior state government official said the operations form part of Manipur’s ongoing ‘War Against Drugs’, under which hundreds of acres of illegal poppy cultivation, largely on government and forest land, have been destroyed over the years.
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In 2020, authorities had identified 8,057 acres of poppy fields in the state, of which 1,695 acres were destroyed.
The official said sustained enforcement and coordinated action by Central and state agencies have led to a steady decline in the area under poppy cultivation in subsequent years.
By 2024 and 2025, the identified area had reduced significantly, reflecting the impact of a multi-pronged strategy adopted by the state and Central governments.
Defence officials reiterated that Assam Rifles follows a zero-tolerance policy towards narcotics-related activities and remains committed to eliminating illegal poppy cultivation along the India-Myanmar border, while pursuing legal action against cultivators, facilitators and financiers to ensure long-term stability and security in Manipur and adjoining regions.
