Manipur's Environmental Crisis: How Illegal Poppy Cultivation by Armed Militants is Causing Devastating Floods

A screengrab of a video showing Manipur's hills where illegal opium poppy is grown

Former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has attributed the state's recurring floods to extensive forest destruction caused by illegal poppy cultivation. Singh alleged that armed militant groups are responsible for clearing vast forest areas for poppy plantations and questioned the inaction of forest officials against these illicit activities.

"This video recorded today shows why recurrent floods have taken place in the state. The footage shows poppy plantations at Kolten and Selsi Hill Ranges of IT-Road under T. Waichong Sub-division in Kangpokpi District," Singh stated in a post on X.

Singh, who resigned as chief minister on February 9 just days before President's rule was imposed due to ongoing ethnic violence, expressed grave concern about the environmental impact of these activities.

"All our forest has been destroyed while we are trying to pull each other down. None of our leaders has spoken out against such wide-scale devastation. Why have officials of the Forest Department not taken any action against the perpetrators? It is suspected that armed militants are involved in these illicit activities. Unless we take concrete action, the state will face an existential crisis," he warned.

Officials report that security forces have destroyed over 800 acres of illegal poppy cultivation in Manipur's mountainous districts in recent weeks as part of anti-narcotics operations, preventing the production of opium worth several crores. However, an aerial survey conducted on November 24 identified more than 700 additional acres of poppy plantations in Kangpokpi district alone.

A senior police officer confirmed that joint operations involving the army, Assam Rifles, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), and Manipur Police destroyed illegal poppy cultivation across six mountainous districts - Kangpokpi, Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Chandel, Tengnoupal, and Senapati - between November 11 and December 1.

According to police estimates, the destroyed 800 acres of illegal poppy cultivation could have yielded approximately 7,572 kg of opium, valued at several hundred crores of rupees. During these operations, security forces also demolished around 160 huts at cultivation sites and destroyed farming supplies including salt packets, fertilizers, herbicides, spray pumps, and pipes used in poppy cultivation.

A defense spokesperson described the operations as being conducted under challenging terrain and adverse weather conditions. The spokesperson emphasized that the crackdown demonstrates Assam Rifles' and other security forces' commitment to curbing illicit narcotics cultivation and dismantling financial networks supporting insurgency and anti-national activities.

The Assam Rifles issued a statement reaffirming their commitment to fostering a drug-free northeast and contributing to long-term peace, stability, and socio-economic development in the region.

In 2020, security forces and government agencies identified 8,057 acres of poppy fields, of which 1,695 acres were destroyed. By 2024 and 2025, the area of identified poppy fields had significantly decreased, reflecting the success of state and central governments' multi-pronged strategy.

State politicians and officials have identified the ethnic crisis in Manipur, coupled with the rising drug menace, as major contributors to the current situation. According to defense officials, combating poppy cultivation has remained a consistent priority for the paramilitary forces, as evidenced by their sustained efforts over the years.