Army destroys ganja, opium, heroin

Imphal, March 30 : A total of 3,675 kgs of ganja, 1.8 kg of opium, 10 gram of Heroin worth several lakhs of rupees seized from 23 individuals during anti-narcotics campaign launched by the troops of Red Shield Division in the last 15 days in Churachandpur district were destroyed by burning today.

The burnt items were seized by the troops of 16 Maratha LI and 46 Assam Rifles under the Red Shield Division playing active role in anti-narcotics drive in Churachandpur district, said CO of 16 Maratha LI, Prasanta Chauhan.

Out of the total quantity of ganja destroyed today, 1200 kgs worth around Rs 35 lakh were seized in a search operation at New Kaprang village in Thangjing ridge by a combined team of troops of 16 Maratha LI and 46 Assam Rifles.

The item was found concealed underneath the earth inside some isolated huts on the ridge, he added.

The seized ganja was destroyed by burning in the presence of NCB officials, police and local village chiefs at Gothal headquarters of the 16 Maratha LI, he said.

The troops of this unit under Logtak Brigade have carried out destruction of large acres of standing Ganja and Poppy cultivation in the fields and burned down the stored Ganja in Thangjing ridge and Henglep sub-division where government anti-drug units could not reached due to inaccessible.

Carriers of this item moving from Jiribam have also been arrested with Ganja consignments in the operation carried out by troops as part of Op Cannabis and handed over to Churachandpur police station, Prasanta added.

The anti narcotic campaign is being carried out with the objective of discouraging the villagers to involve in illegal activity as well as to prevent the innocent youth falling prey to drug culture.

The campaign also targeted to ensure that Manipur does not turn into a haven for drug smugglers by holding meetings with village chiefs and villagers to educate the society and to wean away the population from Ganja and Poppy cultivation.

He also claimed that chiefs have promised the army authorities that they will not allow cultivation of illegal plants in their respective villages in the coming years.

However, they have urged the government to take up projects to connect their villages with a road so that the agricultural produce from these areas can be easily transported to Churachandpur and Imphal.