Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh announced on Wednesday that poppy cultivation in the state has dropped by around 50-60 percent. This reduction is a result of extensive efforts by police and central forces as part of a ‘War on Drugs‘ campaign. Singh shared this information while flagging off a bike rally marking the ‘International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking’, applauding law enforcement and civil society for their support.
Singh highlighted that a Village Defence Force (VDF) volunteer had lost his life during an anti-poppy drive, praising the dedication shown by the state police. He noted the collective efforts in tackling the drug problem since the campaign’s launch in 2018 under the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan’, initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“In the past a Village Defence Force (VDF) volunteer lost his life while carrying out a drive against poppy cultivation, the Chief Minister appreciated the state police for their dedicated efforts towards the ‘War on Drugs’ campaign,” Singh added.
Singh had previously stated that from 1987 to 2021, 877 square kilometers of forest cover in Manipur were destroyed, primarily due to illegal poppy farming for drug production.
“Earlier, Singh had said that 877 sq km of forest cover in Manipur was destroyed in 34 years (1987-2021), primarily for illegal poppy cultivation to manufacture various drugs,” Singh emphasized.
He pointed out the significant decline in forest cover from 17,475 square kilometers in 1987 to 16,598 square kilometers in 2021, attributing this largely to illegal poppy cultivation by immigrants and other groups.
“Singh, who also holds the home portfolio, had said that forest cover in Manipur was 17,475 sq km in 1987 and in 2021, it was destroyed to 16,598 sq km, mainly for the cultivation of poppy by the illegal immigrants and others,” Singh stated.
The Chief Minister’s address underscored the ongoing commitment to curbing drug abuse and illicit trafficking in Manipur through concerted community and governmental efforts.
