The seizing of a huge amount of narcotic drugs from five commando personnel does not suggest anywhere that the War on Drugs is a hoax, but it was an achievement made by the Police department, said state Director General of Police (DGP) P Doungel on Wednesday.
The DGP was addressing the media at his office chamber located at Babupara, Imphal.
Starting from January 1, 2017 till January 17, 2023, Manipur police department under ND and PS Act have registered as many as 2.243 cases while a total of 2,817 individuals, including 2,222 males and 595 females were arrested, he said.
During the said period, the police department along with the Forest department and locals destroyed around 15,642 acres of poppy plants, of which 777 acres of poppy plants were destroyed in 2023.
He said that the area of poppy destruction will increase as the destruction work continues.
Considering the achievements which the Police department has made in the last five years, one can easily conclude that the various activities taken up by the department are definitely not a hoax, he said.
While carrying out these drives to destroy poppy plantations, police personnel, NAB, forest officials even spent the night at the sites to completely destroy the poppy plants, he mentioned.
Regarding the questions raised by an MLA, he can enquire as an elected member of Manipur Legislative Assembly regarding the case of five commando personnel who were caught red handed with the narcotic drugs, he said.
P Doungel further pointed out that enquiring at such a crucial moment could temper the evidence and suggested that cooperation should be given instead during the investigation in order to find out the roots of the case.
Responding to the media, he said the five cops have already been suspended and stringent action will be taken after departmental enquiry.
He mentioned that the use of drones to spray herbicides have started in Saikul and around 60 acres of poppy plantations have been sprayed during the exercise. Presently, the drone used for spraying herbicide has a capacity of 16 litres, he added.
The police department is also planning to install another machine in the same drone that used to spray herbicide that can destroy poppy pots in soil. Although the spraying of herbicides has started, physical confirmation of the rate of effectiveness of the method still needs to be confirmed, he added.
As per sources, 2,4-D herbicide is being used to spray on the poppy plants by the drones.
ALSO READ: Manipur Police Drug Haul Case: Who will step down on moral grounds, asks MPCC
