The Manipur Police and Forest Department have destroyed about 55 acres of illegal opium cultivation in the hilly areas of Shihai Khullen in Ukhrul district, according to an official statement issued on Tuesday.
During Monday’s operation, five huts found in opium fields were also burnt and investigations have been started to find the culprits involved in illegal cultivation, the police said.
Notably, the Manipur government has destroyed a total of 19,135.6 acres of illegal opium cultivation in at least 12 districts since 2017, according to an official report.
During this period, most of the opium poppy cultivation area is 4 thousand 454.4 acres in Kangpokpi district, 3 thousand 348 acres in Ukhurul and 2 thousand 713.8 acres in Churachandpur, using remote sensing and GIS technology.