1. Manipur CM N Biren Singh reported 412 FIRs and 87 arrests for illegal poppy cultivation.
2. The data covers seven years in response to an inquiry by MLA Th Lokeshwor.
3. Singh detailed the destruction of 16,788 acres of illegal poppy fields from 2017 to 2024.
Imphal, Aug 09: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh reported to the state assembly that over the past seven years, 412 FIRs have been filed and 87 people arrested for illegal poppy cultivation.
This information was shared in response to a query from Manipur Congress MLA Th Lokeshwor.
According to CM Singh, 16,788 acres of illegal poppy fields were destroyed from 2017 to 2024. Among the arrested were 16 village chiefs.
In a separate discussion, Manipur Congress MLA K Ranjit asked about the status of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement.
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CM Singh stated that the tripartite agreement, involving the central government, the Manipur government, and Kuki militant groups, has not been extended since its expiry on February 29, 2024.
Originally signed in 2008 to foster peace, the SoO agreement was periodically renewed until March 2023, when the Manipur government withdrew due to “unwanted activities” by the militant groups.
Singh emphasized that the central government holds primary responsibility for the SoO, with the Manipur government having limited influence over its implementation.
