IMPHAL, Feb 13: In order to give a severe blow to the main source of funding of VBIGs and save the society from harmful effects of drugs, 8 Assam Rifles of 26 Sector under HQ IGAR (South) carried out joint operations alongwith Narcotic Bureau for destruction of illegal Poppy plantation in the remote and inaccessible area of various ridges in Chandel district along the Indo – Myanmar border.
The troops burned and hacked down the Poppy cultivation in the Chakpikarong sub division of Chandel district. Approximately 414 hectares of cultivation amounting to Rs. 6 crores was destroyed in situ in a week long campaign by the unit. As per the Narcotics representative, the net value in Imphal of poppy destroyed is 10-12 times more than what it is now valued in the fields of the remote area. The cost further increases multi folds in geometric progression in International market. This poppy destruction campaign was highly appreciated by the locals especially the women organisations in the area. Such campaign would go a long way in making Manipur state a drug free zone.
