Imphal, Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh on Monday said around 3,000 acres of illegal poppy cultivation had been destroyed in the state in the last one year and 467 suspected drug traffickers were arrested.
Singh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to modernising and strengthening the police force. Officials said he was the first police officer from the Kuki-Zo community to serve as parade commander at a state function in Imphal since the 2023 ethnic violence. DGP Mukesh Singh said October 19 had been celebrated as the collective Raising Day of the entire Manipur Police force since 2008.
Addressing the 135th Raising Day of the Manipur Police at the 1st Manipur Rifles ground here, Singh said the state government remained committed to combating illegal poppy cultivation and drug trafficking. “The police and other agencies are closely monitoring the situation and intensifying efforts to identify, trace and dismantle drug networks operating across the state,” he said. Singh said the state government, in coordination with security forces, had undertaken concerted efforts to restore peace and stability, adding that these sustained efforts had also encouraged the voluntary surrender of arms. “Undue criticism would undermine the state’s progress and would not contribute to restoring peace,” he said.
