Manipur will move to cancel ration cards of pro-poppy villages: Minister

Speaking to reporters, Susindro expressed his disappointment at finding “vast” poppy plantations at the border areas of Thangjing Range in Churachandpur district, Chakpikarong in Chandel district and in many hill ranges of Saikul in Kangpokpi district.

Steps will be taken up to foil the poppy plantations using equipment such as drones and chemicals, he said.

The minister said that stringent action will be taken against villages that have cultivated poppy in the face of appeals by the Chief Minister, and that the government will ask the Union Food Ministry to get their ration cards invalidated.

The minister said that a river in Imphal West district, its main water source, is drying up as a result of rampant deforestation and clearing of hill ranges to make space for poppy cultivation.

He also said that the water level of Loktak Lake and Kangchup has also receded considerably.

Meanwhile, the state government on Saturday conducted a test flight of the drones to be used in surveillance and subsequent destruction of poppy plantations.

“Flight tests and demonstrations of drones were successfully carried out on the lawn of my official residence. These drones are capable of spraying herbicides and have been procured to intensify the War on Drugs campaign. I urge the people to support & completely root out the drug menace,” tweeted Chief Minister N. Biren Singh.