Kangpokpi: As part of the Government of Manipur’s “War on drugs”, a combined team of Kangpokpi Forest Division and District Police led by Range Forest Officer, Motbung Range trekked the Kanglatongbi Kangpokpi Reserved Forest Hill ranges to check for encroachment and illegal poppy cultivation.
The Team came across a total of 7-10 acres illegal poppy cultivation which was promptly destroyed. The Range Forest Officer has already begun the process of filing FIR. Efforts against illegal activities and poppy cultivation will continue, said a press release from the Range Forest Officer/HQ, Kangpokpi Forest Division, Government of Manipur
Divisional Forest Officer, Kangpokpi Forest Division, N .Ganesh warned the fringe villages of KK RF, that stern action will be taken up against those who indulged in Poppy Cultivation in RF areas. He also stated that an Investigation will be initiated by the Division in coordination with Police and NAB and the culprits will be booked under both Indian Forest Act 1927 and Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
He lauded the Forest staff for their vigil in the Reserved Forests. He also stated that Real time monitoring of Reserved Forests based on Satellite Imagery every fortnight is the need of the hour, given the vast tracts of Forest Lands and poor Forest staffs strength.
He appealed to the public to refrain from trespassing and committing any offense inside the Reserved Forest and come forward help to identify those responsible for such heinous activities, the press note added.
