According to officials, coordinated teams from the Army, Assam Rifles, CRPF, BSF, Narcotics Control Bureau and Manipur Police carried out the destruction of poppy fields in Kangpokpi, Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Chandel, Tengnoupal and Senapati districts. The forces also demolished nearly 100 makeshift huts and burnt fertilisers, herbicides, salt sacks and irrigation tools used in the illegal cultivation.

Police estimate that at least 486 acres of the destroyed fields could have yielded around 4,600 kg of opium, worth several hundred crores. Despite the crackdown, an aerial survey on November 24 detected over 700 new acres of poppy plantations in the Kangpokpi region, particularly near Makhan Village in the Kanglatongbi Reserved Forest.

Former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, who shared aerial visuals of the plantations on X, said the expansion of illegal poppy farming is causing severe environmental damage and threatens cultural heritage sites such as Mount Koubru. He emphasised the need for continuous and intensified operations, warning that large stretches of forest have already degraded into barren land.

A Defence spokesperson said the operations were conducted under harsh terrain and adverse weather, underscoring the unwavering resolve of security forces to dismantle narcotics networks that fuel insurgency and destabilise the region.

Officials confirmed that the campaign will continue under the state’s “War Against Drugs” initiative, which has already reduced the total area of identified poppy fields in recent years.

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Deputy Commissioner Dr Vivek Bharti welcomed guests before the programme began with the national song Vande Mataram. Bedi said the campaign, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had grown into a powerful social movement over the past five years.

He shared that more than 23.2 crore people took part in 7.39 lakh awareness activities. The outreach included 7.82 crore youth and 5.25 crore women. Over 17.11 lakh educational institutions and more than 20,000 master volunteers contributed to the mission.

Calling addiction a disease rather than a habit, Bedi encouraged families to support treatment instead of isolating addicts. He said 109 de-addiction centres currently operate across Haryana.

The campaign started in 10 major districts, including Rohtak, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa, and later expanded to Gurugram, Faridabad, Panchkula and Jhajjar. To involve youth, authorities continue organising essay competitions, rangoli activities, street plays and runs.

Bedi urged young people to stay united and strengthen the fight against drug abuse.

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The trend of packing ganja inside cigarettes has made it difficult for authorities to detect. Regular customers are sold these cigarettes secretly, while new buyers are often turned away to avoid suspicion. Residents claim that the unchecked trade continues due to the lack of vigilance from police and excise officials.

The drug culture has now reached villages, where youth are increasingly getting addicted. Many young people are damaging their health despite awareness campaigns. Parents’ lack of supervision has worsened the problem, pushing more youth into drug abuse.

Locals are demanding that police and excise departments intensify surveillance and launch strict operations. Many fear Kamareddy may soon become a regional hub for organized drug trade if immediate action is not taken.

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