The rise in illicit poppy cultivation will pose a serious threat to the very existence of Manipur. If not checked, Manipur state can be the next possible hub for drug production, rather than just being a spot on the trafficking route.
Many are into poppy plantations because of the lucrative income.
The fight against “war on drugs” has not been sincerely implemented by all stakeholders.
On February 25, 2021, a conglomerate of 33 tribes from all the hill districts of Manipur hosted by Meetei Leepun attended the conference held at Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre (BOAT), Imphal, and took a pledge to do away with poppy cultivation in support of the government of Manipur’s declaration of war on drugs. About thousands of men and women leaders, high dignitaries, DCs and SPs of hill districts and the chief minister of Manipur as chief guest attended the conference to show solidarity and support.
“……We further pledge we shall work for completely eradicating illegal poppy cultivation and other illicit drug businesses in any areas of our jurisdiction by any person from within or outside,” MBC Pastor Rev Zuankanmang Daimei had led the pledge. Leaders and representatives of Kharam Tribe Union, Purum Tribe Union, Koireng Tribe Union, Thadou Inpi, Manipuri Gorkha Association, Kom Tribe Union, Chiru Tribe Union, Thangal Tribe Union, Maram Union, Mao Council, Poumai Tribe Union, Zemei Tribe Union, Anal Tangpi, Lamkang Kaver Kupun, Monshang Tribe Union, Moyon Tribe Union, Aimol Tribe Union, Tarao Tribe Union, Hmar Inpi, Paite People Council, Simte Tribe Union, Zou Tribe Union, Mizo People Convention, Vaiphei People Council, Gangte Tribe Union, Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long, Mate Tribe Union, Maring Uparup, Zeme Tribe Union, Rongmei Tribe Union, Inpui Tribe Union, Liangmai Tribe Union and Chothe Tribe Union took part in the pledge.
On 31 August 2021, Jairam Ramesh had issued a statement on the mismanagement of urea by the government of Manipur, “…urea is diverted to hill areas in Manipur where poppy cultivation is being grown in large areas in the last four years.” The statement made by INC leader, Jairam Ramesh may not be true in regard to the mismanagement of urea but poppy cultivation has spread to various parts of the hill districts in recent years.
On May 16, 2022, the District Administration of Ukhrul organised a “Consultative workshop on alternative livelihood for people in poppy-cultivated areas of Ukhrul district towards a drug-free and sustainable society for all” at DRDA Training Hall, Mini Secretariat Complex, Ukhrul. As per the report from Ukhrul Police, in 2020 there were around 500 or more families who were into poppy cultivation in Ukhrul district. Approximately there was a 500% increase in numbers of villages in Ukhrul District with poppy cultivation in the last 5 years and a 600% increase in area under poppy cultivation in the last 5 years. And predicted a rise in the coming years.
The President of TSL informed that “out of 264 Tangkhul villages, poppy plantation is taking place in 79 villages of Tangkhul inhabited area, out of which 40 villages are intensively involved in this cultivation. 90% of households in 7 villages are actively involved in poppy plantation, above 40% of households in 33 villages are involved in poppy plantation, moderately below 30% of households in 14 villages and an initial 10% of households in 25 villages are involved in poppy plantation. A total of 185 villages have prohibited poppy cultivation in their respective jurisdictions.”
In 2022, SP of NAB, K. Meghachandra informed that a total of 6742.8 acres of area are poppy cultivated areas in Manipur. The figure as in District wise are given below:
Kangpokpi 2230 acres
Ukhrul 2040 acres
Senapati 305 acres
Chandel 905 acres
Kamjong 239.8 acres
Tengnoupal 526 acres
Churachandpur 391 acres
Bishnupur 130 acres
Imphal East with 292 acres
In spite of various awareness campaigns by the District Administration, NGOs and CSOs, there seems to be an increase in numbers of poppy cultivation.
The quest to end illicit poppy cultivation in Manipur with the promise of one-time cash incentives in terms of reward, compensation for the crops destroyed, and provision for cultivating alternatives has also failed. Poppy cultivators were called to attend numerous meetings by different agencies or departments, but no substantive decisions or actions have ever come out. With no help or assistance, the farmers have started to cultivate in a far remote hill beyond the reach of the police.
As per interaction with the poppy cultivators, many are into poppy plantations because of the lucrative income.
The strong will power of the Government to crush the illicit poppy cultivation in the hills will only end the Illicit poppy cultivation in the hills. Unless checked, opium will become the most dangerous drug available in the backyard of hill districts. Before opium runs into the bloodstream of the societal veins, getting passed on from one generation to another and attacking the very core or vitality of the social system, the budding tissue should be nipped in the bud.
