In a sustained effort to combat illegal poppy cultivation, the District Anti-Narcotic Task Force (ANTF) conducted a poppy destruction operation on Friday at Ngatan Hill Range, in the vicinity of the Senapati Police Station and surrounding areas of Kangpokpi district. This operation, supervised by the Additional Superintendent of Police (NH-2), who serves as the Nodal Officer for ANTF, was executed under the overarching guidance of the Superintendent of Police for Senapati.
The coordinated team, led by the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) for SPT, included personnel from the Senapati and Kangpokpi Police Stations along with various companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), specifically B-109, F-36, C-142, and G-112, in addition to 16 Assam Rifles and an Executive Magistrate. Notably, officials from the Senapati Forest Division provided drone support to facilitate aerial surveillance throughout the operation.
During the enforcement drive, approximately six acres of illicit poppy fields were eradicated, and eight makeshift huts constructed in the area were set ablaze. Furthermore, the security forces disposed of three bags of fertilizers, 15 bags of salt, four bundles of irrigation pipes, and four spray pumps discovered on the premises. One suspect, identified as Gun Bahadur Rai, a 59-year-old resident from Thulochour/Tapon Village in Irang Part II, was arrested at the scene, and subsequent legal actions are currently being pursued.